Can poker be used as a teaching aid?

[okeedokalee]

No! The only thing I would use poker for is to discourage gambling and instruct the kids how the odds are against them. That the only winners are the casinos and bookies!
Teach the youngsters to use their minds, and seek out a pathway the that will make them happy and earn a good living.

 

[R.Holynskyi]

I don't think it's a good idea. I don't have children, but if I did, I definitely wouldn't want them to play poker at school. I'd rather they played football. Poker is a great game, but I think that poker is a game of chance, only for adults.

 

[najisami]

Your 7th grader's math teacher wants to teach the class Hold'em. Would you think this is a good idea?

Since the question says specifically "Hold'em", it becomes difficult to agree with that teacher.
But it could be a great idea to use the deck of cards to help the kids grab certain mathematical concepts like the "groups" and "sub-groups" for example, let alone stats and probabilities.

 

[lauestla]

Well I am not sure it's a good idea to learn poker at school.
Despite the mathematical implications of the poker which could be profitable to learn mathematics, I would be afraid that the kids get addict to the game. Most of them are already addict to the screens, it's enough IMO.

 

[pavel1111111]

Could be posibile, it could sharp his mind 😁 and teach him to be pacience 😄

 

[Joe]

Your 7th grader's math teacher wants to teach the class Hold'em. Would you think this is a good idea?

​

Thanks to @nabmom for the topic idea.

Not only is it a good idea, it's a fantastic idea!!!

A 7th grade math teacher's R.O.I. Vs a classful of 7th grades should be off the charts... 🤑

Especially if you factor in teaching them incorrect probabilities- that way all their pot odds calculations would be way off...

As long as there wasn't a young Stu Unger in the class the teacher should clean up!



In all seriousness though, how old are kids in 7th grade?

Although my opinion of poker is that it is stigmatised and has plenty to teach us about ourselves and life as well as mathematics, statistics, psychology, game theory and risk management, at the same time I think there could be a percentage of children who would be more susceptible to being drawn into the pitfalls associated with gambling.

Therefore while it might be suitable for some children, it wouldn't be for all and thus might not be ideal for national ciriculum but could certainly be a great exercise/learning tool for some.

 

[antonis32123]

Of course not . Gambling and addictive games or habits should not be taught yo underage kids , the teacher can find other examples to teach maths .

 

[Gutshot Gus]

Yes, I think it is fine to teach poker and math intertwined. By making learning fun you get people engaged. It has to be better than a piece of chalk and a chalkboard. I taught my daughter how to play poker and gin. Now when she comes to visit she wants to play gin. It was something positive that created memories for her that will last a lifetime.

 

[dangbaonguyen93]

I think no, poker can't be a subject yet, I think it should just be a global game.

 

[TeUnit]

Both Susquehanna and SIG, wall street firms -use poker as part of their training programs.

It helps show how to react in times of uncertainty and helps people better understand risk and return.

Some of the best poker players in the world have hedgefund backgrounds.

​

 

[olejean]

Poker refers to gambling. I don't think it will be useful for children.

 

[ammje]

I think it would be a good idea, since poker involves studying mathematics, probabilities, statistics.

 

[infonazar]

Your 7th grader's math teacher wants to teach the class Hold'em. Would you think this is a good idea?

​

Thanks to @nabmom for the topic idea.

Exactly not.
Poker is a game for money, such games are definitely not for schoolchildren. I'm not saying that this will necessarily lead to problems, but it definitely increases the likelihood of them occurring.

 

[Poker Orifice]

It's only gambling if you're losing and I'm pretty sure my grandkids will be coming home with extra lunch money each day. I'd also have no trouble each night helping them with their homework
When I was in school (grade 9) we played cards/poker (along with guts & inbetween, craps, & blackjack) at lunch break and sometimes between classes and very often after school. They didn't teach it to us in class though.

 

[Igor Popadyk]

that our life is a game, any game teaches something, the main thing is to draw the right conclusions for yourself, what is right for one is harmful for another,,,

 

[x patrice x]

Of course, you could teach students about the probability calculation, but there are certainly more beneficial ways to do this.

It is too extensive and would take too much time to explain the game and its rules to all students, only to then conclude the mathematical component.

So I don't think that's a good idea!

 

[Mart1194]

Stay for people over 18 years old.
The statistical mathematics, odds and so on of poker can be mentioned in studies in the Mathematics discipline, but without influencing the decisions to start the poker game itself for minors.

I think it might get in the way

 

[888NOX888]

In any case, poker is associated with excitement and spending money, and it seems to me that it is not worth involving minors in the game.

 

[riff_raff312]

I think it's up to the Parents of the kids even if the mathematics are good there is the gambling addiction that could come in to effect,so it might be a sticky sale for some. And of course there is the whole card counting thing hence the auto shuffler and the multi deck shut.

 

[rhoudini]

As I see, I will be minority here. But I prefer to be optimistic in regard to this matter. I think that poker can be a good game for anyone. Nobody needs to play for money. Here in my city, many people, especially older people, play lots of other games gambling their money. People don't need poker to burn their money when they have it.

But instead of teaching Hold'em only for the mere act of teaching, maybe it is better for children and teenagers to learn how to evaluate if some game is a luck game or a game that demands skill. They should be able to calculate risks for anything in life, and act accordingly.

They don't need to play for money. Children can play poker for fun the same way they play chess, dominoes, checkers, or any other card game.

Of course there is a whole history of gambling associated with the game, but this is changing. With tournaments and with the spread of information, people are now playing the game not only to gamble, but as a recreational or even a professional activity.

If we were to completely ban poker because children can end up gambling, we would have to ban games like Uno as well, or even other games. Children can even bet the few bucks they have in any other thing. Instead, we should protect them from betting money, not from knowing a great game.

The problem is not poker itself. However, the teacher should be honest in regard to what he wants to achieve.

 

[10058765]

It's not like teaching them playing for money......it's about teaching them calculating chances, so I see no bears on the road.
I was 5 years old when my grandfather teached me how to play Black Jack (onedeck so easy counting).....I never got addicted....
But I definetly learned about chances and how to calculate them.

 

[acidburnfx]

Teaching math in a more engaging way seems more enjoyable, as well as, learning physics by playing snooker, for example. It doesn't necessarily have to involve money, but the teacher should teach good practices together. In addition to involving the social side, it stimulates memory, which is essential.

 

[s0ftdumps]

I mean there are better games to start at that age. Maybe start with something that is solvable

 

[sibkaz]

The main thing in any learning, is to build a coherent system of correct perception and assimilation of knowledge ... Logical thinking - everything must be understood, Analytical thinking - everything must be understood and memorized,
Critical thinking - everything must be checked, rechecked, mastered in the most difficult variants.... I think it's all about poker )))) If you also observe the moral side, it's like the theory of probability, or possibilities.... even children can be interesting...

 

[KrazyKoo]

It can and is excellent for it, I would still not do it just because of the taboo and laws that poker have since poker is sadly seen as gambling