Latest Headlines on OCRegister.com
[x] Close
The Mom Blog ~ OC Register staff and guest writers share their parenting stories.
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Why poker is good for kids

November 2nd, 2009, 6:07 am · 14 Comments · posted by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

the-angelici-boys-playing-poker

As long as they aren’t smoking stogies and drinking whiskey, I’m all for my boys playing poker. In fact, my husband has brought to my attention all the benefits our five and six-year-old are gaining by learning the game. Here’s a little list he compiled:

• They’re learning new words like squadoosh and muck
• Counting and stacking chips is a great way to practice math
• Our boys can read a face even better than a book
• Clubs and spades – they don’t teach those shapes in school
• Bluffing – oh, maybe that’s not such a good thing for parents

Okay, deal me in. Sure beats ’Go Fish!’

Share this post:
  • e-mail
  • Digg
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • TwitThis
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
ADVERTISEMENT

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

 14 Comments

  • Candice Shih, Staff Writer says:
    November 2, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Have them gamble their allowance and they’ll really learn the value of money!

    Post Reply
  • Julie Scott says:
    November 2, 2009 at 11:12 am

    I have fond memories of playing poker and blackjack with my dad when I was kid. We still occasionally organize a family poker night every once in awhile. I’ve found myself to be a pretty excellent player in friendly games, but have never gambled real money in a game.

    I’ve tried passing it down to my daughter, but while she enjoys Hearts (her grandma taught her), and “21″, she’s got no interest in poker.

    Post Reply
  • Suz Broughton says:
    November 2, 2009 at 11:28 am

    We are a “Crazy Eights” family, but see nothing wrong with some Jr. poker.

    Post Reply
    • Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer says:
      November 2, 2009 at 8:51 pm

      I haven’t played Crazy Eights in years - I think it’s time to give it a try again. How about a Crazy Eights for Crazy Moms tourney?

      Post Reply
  • GoAskGino says:
    November 2, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Not only do I get beat in Vegas, but now my boys regularly beat me. I hope Jenny can hold onto her half of the money….If I lose their college fund, they can dig ditches for a living. That’s what my dad told me “THE WORLD NEEDS DITCH DIGGERS TOO!” woohoo!

    Post Reply
  • sipote says:
    November 2, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    comes in handy in college…you know, strip poker and all….

    Post Reply
  • MrsHashBrown says:
    November 3, 2009 at 8:03 am

    I don’t see anything wrong with it; poker is just a card game. I think it’s nice that the kiddos are playing cards with their parents.

    I taught my young nephews how to play Blackjack. I think it helped improve their math skills.

    Post Reply
    • Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer says:
      November 3, 2009 at 9:11 pm

      You’re so right - it’s just cards. And Blackjack is an excellent way to learn to add quickly and analyze a situation. What a fun aunt you are to teach your nephews the game.

      Post Reply
  • Nick says:
    November 3, 2009 at 9:57 am

    My grandfather taught my cousins and I how to play poker and black jack. My grandmother didn’t appreciate it and questioned what our parents would say. His response: “Do you think their parents would rather they learn with me at home and fake money, or from a stranger and get taken?”

    Post Reply

Leave a Reply