Is Teaching My Son Poker the Right Thing?

Festus22 · #1 01-04-2005, 10:41 AM

I have a 6-year old son. We have been playing holdem together for a while where we just deal the hole cards and all 5 board cards and see who wins. Sometimes we would make pretend bets but mostly just place the cards of the winning hand beside the winner, deal out the whole deck and whoever had the most winning hands was the "winner" for that round. This all seemed pretty tame and my son has become pretty good at reading straights and flushes and knowing the difference between fair, good and great hands.

So for Christmas, my sister gets him a Texas Holdem kit complete with chips, a felt layout, dealer button and a few decks of cards. The past 2 weeks we have played no limit with the chips and he's actually not too bad. (He managed to blow me off top pair with a river all-in bluff bet [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]).

My question is should I be encouraging this or not? He's got all the mannerisms of the game down cold from how he looks at his hole cards to betting and moving in. It's actually kind of scary!

I'm really in a quandry over this. Any advice would be appreciated.

Al Mirpuri · #2 01-04-2005, 11:07 AM

Most parents do believe that they have the right to impart their morality to their children, hence, Christians bring up little Christian children and Atheists bring up little atheist children. However, people who do not really feel good about what they do are quite laissez-faire about imparting beliefs/values/practices to their children: This is why the children of mafioso end up as attorneys.

Do you feel good about poker? Does it improve the quality of your life? If so then pass it on, if not then desist. Easy, when you think about it.

AviD · #3 01-04-2005, 11:24 AM

Hey Festus, I think like all things in life, if you enjoy it and want your son to be involved in it, then its a good thing.

But poker (gambling) is a delicate subject to teach, and I am sure given your concerns you will be able to teach him the principles of the game (and gambling) such that he won't get out of control with it (which is where I think your concern may be leading?).

My brother (who has played various poker games since he was a kid, and primarily Hold Em' since it started appearing in casinos) has taught his son, now 18 and soon going to college, how to play hold em over the last few years. I've watched his son progress into quite a player. I think it's a great thing because it is something he and his father can do together and enjoy, which is more than some father's and son's have. We have family tournaments at all the holidays when everyone gets together and its a really good time. Interestingly, with the recent boom of poker, it has struck an interest throughout my family (2 brother and 3 sisters, and their children) and made for some great times when we all get together.

Again, as long as you are happy with him going in the direction of playing poker and gambling, I think its a good thing! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Bluffoon · #4 01-04-2005, 12:08 PM

My eight year old son likes to watch me play and is interested in my results. I haven't encouraged him to actually play poker and he hasn't asked me to. I figure there is plenty of time for that. If he did want to play I would teach him in an instant.

Poker teaches many valuable lessons and the skills developed playing poker are useful in life.

You are a lucky dad. You and your son will have an activity to share for the rest of your lives.

fnord_too · #5 01-04-2005, 12:18 PM

I learned poker when I was about that age. I learned almost every game I saw from a very young age. I think playing a lot of games is probably good for children, as it can help develop their critical thinking skills. (No gurantee it will, but it can).

tek · #6 01-04-2005, 01:31 PM

Gambling is a big aspect of society, for better or worse. The boy might as well get a head start and learn good playing habits early and hopefully not become a fish.

To say that children should be shielded from poker, is also implying that they should not see bingo games in the church basement. Don't let them know about lottey tickets, either.

Dancing leads to sex.

Hey, this sounds like a Patrick Swayze movie--forgo the title.

Shielding didn't work in the movie and it doesn't work in real life, either.

I would add that kids should learn topics like:

Most people lose and
Don't gamble with the rent money
Don't quit the day job to go "pro"

Bodhi · #7 01-04-2005, 02:48 PM

I think it's just fine so long as he knows how to gain an advantage. Once his mathematical knowledge improves, teach him about pot odds and everything else mathematical that concerns the game. What would be immoral would be for him to have the poker set, and not have the knowledge to beat stupid opponents.

BusterStacks · #8 01-04-2005, 02:51 PM

I am playing poker now, so that I won't be when I have kids. This may sound odd to some of you, but I personally want many things for my children, ALL of which are far more important that poker. I have a hard time believing that any child under 10 is genuinely interested in poker. Rather, he/she is probably interested in YOU, and surely you can find better things to share.

Bluffoon · #9 01-04-2005, 03:10 PM

I agree it would be pretty sad if ALL you wanted for was for your children to play poker.

Maybe when you have kids you will understand them. Now you clearly do not.

I value any interest I can share with my son. Anything that will strengthen the bond we have for each other. I hope you can find something other than close-mindedness and negativity to share with your children.

BusterStacks · #10 01-04-2005, 03:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Maybe when you have kids you will understand them. Now you clearly do not.

I hope you can find something other than close-mindedness and negativity to share with your children.

[/ QUOTE ]

These are weak arguments, yet understandable when you have no substance to repond with. Which part of my post was untrue? Furthermore what EXACTLY was close-minded or negative?