Kids Playing Poker

Monteroy · Jan 25,2005, 01:31 PM

This forum seems to have a very small percentage of kids 16 and under posting, but browsing through a few other forums I was surprised to see how many of the posters were 14, 15, 16 talking about their home and online games and many of the responses essentially encouraged them to continue doing what they are doing. The posters on Daniel Negreanu's forum seems to be almost one third 16 years old or less.

I really have mixed emotions on this, as I do think playing poker can sharpen one's mind and teach patience which are positives. Additionally there are certainly some 14-16 year olds who have the maturity to handle the ups and downs of the game. However, as I read many posts from the the 14-16 year olds it was also very obvious that they often lacked the maturity to handle the swings that do come with the game. Many claim that playing poker is better then using drugs, but that seems like a weak line of reasoning as it implies those are the only choices available.

I do wonder if and how online poker sites will handle the growing number of underage players (are they even allowed to have an account to play with play chips?). I am a bit surprised with the poker craze that we have not seen a major story on teen gambling and I can't help but wonder when that will happen.

It is a curious issue and one I am not sure that is easy to solve (or if it really needs to be solved). Does anyone have any thoughts on this or have any first hand observations to shed some light on this issue?

Edit: Sorry, meant to post this in general forum. If it can be moved there that is appreciated.

Wolffhound · Jan 25,2005, 02:31 PM

My son (9 in March) received a Texas Hold'em kit for Christmas.
Toy section at Toys r Us, front of the box says "for ages 8 and up".

What do i think about it? At 15/16/17...i think it can create huge problems.
Given that we (me included) generally did everything in excess at that age.

In the end as my kids age, they are my responsibility. Its my job to police/parent them.
Add it to the ever growing list of things you have to talk to them about.

ScottyZ · Jan 25,2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Add [poker] to the ever growing list of things you have to talk to them about.

I know it's not what you meant, but...

"Son/Daughter. Come in here. We need to talk about something."

"What's up?"

[Pauses to gather thoughts]

"So I've got pocket Queens..."

ScottyZ

Pigga · Jan 25,2005, 02:47 PM

Lol, thats money scotty z

"so i've had my aces cracked 7 times tonight, son, and i need to let u know, its not the end of the world"

Dennis187 · Jan 25,2005, 04:57 PM

Father: Son there is something you need too know...

Son: (puzzled look) What is that daddy...

Father: Well I know you are only nine years old, but its about time we had the talk.

Wife: ALREADY!?!?!? What are you absurd?

Father: No, its about time he knows how to do IT properly so he doesnt let himself down.

Wife: He cant even...

Father: I know, I know he isnt of legal age yet.

Wife: (walks over and whispers in Fathers ear) He cant get it up yet...

(Father jumps out of chair)

Father: What is wrong with you!?!?!?!?! I was just going to explain that 7-2 offsuite is the worst hand in Holdem!

(Wife stands there shaking her head)

Dead Money · Jan 25,2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyZ

I know it's not what you meant, but...

"Son/Daughter. Come in here. We need to talk about something."

"What's up?"

[Pauses to gather thoughts]

"So I've got pocket Queens..."

ScottyZ

I don't mean to make light of the subject, but it reminds me of something I read or heard once.

Man calls a gamblers help line and after telling the person on the other side how long he has been playing and how much money he wins or looses, asks advice on how to play pocket Queens.

Wolffhound · Jan 25,2005, 07:41 PM

ScottyZ,

that was good.

Young Grimmm · Jan 25,2005, 07:45 PM

This is an interesting thread and I'm not really sure of the long term implications of kids and cards. Being the optimist, I think that the "novelty" will wear off for most (just like getting shit-faced every Thursday, Friday, Saturday at university eventually loses its thrill) and most kids will become recreational players, which is fine.

I teach at a high school and just when the WSOP was becoming mainstream from the TSN coverage we started having a big problem with gambling (or perhaps it was always there but less obvious). Cafeteria supervisors would walk in and be able to spot 5 or 6 tables of hold'em or blackjack with 10 or more kids/table at any given time. Kids were so brazen as to even play with money on the table, rather than chips. The principal cracked down right away and started confiscating cards etc. (matter of fact she picked up a really nice chip set, that I'd love to get my hands on

We started cracking down on it right away and kids just began using toothpicks etc. to represent checks. Then we started watching for that too. Now the smart ones just skip school to play at a buddy's place but the lazy ones simply use another deck of cards as checks, with each player getting a certain number of cards (ie. the blue deck is used to play, but the red deck is your checks) depending on their buy-in. Quite clever I think! We've started having presentations from organizations promoting responsible gambling and I believe that it gets discussed a bit in health class too.

Done rambling now.

BBC Z · Jan 25,2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Man calls a gamblers help line and after telling the person on the other side how long he has been playing and how much money he wins or looses, asks advice on how to play pocket Queens.

I think something got lost in the delivery.

im a clown · Jan 25,2005, 11:02 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in662429.shtml

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...over21.art.htm

2 stories about young ones playing.

Lamb_of_john · Jan 25,2005, 11:37 PM

i remember about 5 years ago when i was in high school a few guys playing cards for chips. they got some pretty harsh punishment from the authorities within the school. now i wash i was one of them...... woudl have had a great head start on the competition of today.

i think poker is a great way to use wit and skill. i find it alomst akin to sex at a young age, or smoking. kids will find a way to do it, and have fun doing it. just dont lean on them too hard for it.

monkey see monkey do, right

?

thanks,
johnny

Paul3221 · Jan 26,2005, 06:26 AM

I personally don't see any problems with it, as long as the kids keep it within affordable limits. My buddies and I started playing before I was 10 years old. It was usually for pennies, or Kraft caramels. It never got out of hand, or made anyone an addict. I think that the only kids that might have problems with it, are the "weak minded" ones (un-PC I know) who overdo everything, and later in life become addicts in other ways.

Kids will always gamble in one way or another. What about the games that every Canadian boy's played with hockey cards, where the closes one to the wall gets all the cards? Isn't that too a form of gambling?

Just my $.02

Lithium · Jan 26,2005, 05:53 PM

I played in Yorkpokers Tourney over the weekend, and at our Table (8) I would say at least 2 of them were about 16/17ish.

One was the chip leader when I went out, and the other busted out earlier, but I think as long as they have a solid understanding of the swings involved and how to play the game, Why take away what they enjoy doing?

My parents tried to keep me from drinking, I just found ways to not get caught.....as much

NurseHoliday · Jan 27,2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young Grimmm

Now the smart ones just skip school to play at a buddy's place but the lazy ones simply use another deck of cards as checks, with each player getting a certain number of cards (ie. the blue deck is used to play, but the red deck is your checks) depending on their buy-in. Quite clever I think!

Actually, if they were REALLY thinking, they would use their textbooks as checks

You can win 2 ways - You can LOSE your textbooks (sorry teach, I didn't study as I lost my textbook in a poker game - a real BLOOD GAME down at booger's place). OR you could have your textbook confiscated - sweet !! Sorry teach, but that old bag Mrs. Crabtree took my book and wouldn't give it back.

ScottyZ · Jan 27,2005, 11:11 AM

LOL

"I'm gonna raise. Make it Stewart's Calculus to go." *thunk*

"Hold on there, Tex. That's an out of print edition. And look at all of this highlighting."

[academic brawl breaks out]

If I ever open up a poker room, I'm now leaning towards calling it "Booger's Place".

ScottyZ