Underage Poker Players

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Underage Poker Players

There are many families worldwide that enjoy a casual game of poker. These families are not necessarily right into the poker scene either. Everyday country lifestyles even make for a game of cards. With these games comes the thrill of a win for children; underage poker players. We hear many stories of playing for pennies and dimes and others just for entertainment. I myself was a child subjected at a young age to the game of draw poker.

A lot of the time this pushes our technologically reliant children to the internet in search of a friendly game online. Let’s face it; children of today pretty much do everything else online so why not cards too? This is my opinion based on discussions with many kids and also parents of kids who play poker. I don’t think I am far off the mark though.

Poker has made a boom worldwide. Kids want to be part of everything bright, bubbly and booming – the in things! On facebook; Zinga poker gives kids a taste of playing as underage poker players along with many other sites. The age limit is 13 and over as no “money” is involved. It is just a game for the kids – or is it?

I have seen many stories of underage poker players making more money than some people could imagine in merely a month; through playing poker online. It takes a dedicated and skilled team of online poker security analysts to wean these underage poker players out from the hundreds and thousands of players on their sites. Take for example a recently printed story I read on Australian teenager James Obst.

In summary, James lays in bed to win masses amount of money. He makes poker look easy. He started playing as an underage poker player at the mere age of 14. Since this time he has won $1.5 million playing online tournaments. Not bad hey? I say pretty damn amazing, but pretty damn illegal too!

James is now 19 years of age. This makes his yearly wage since the age of 14 $300,000 USD. Talk about a nice income! James has stated to Herald Sun reporters “You just had to say you're over 18. As long as you don't become, I guess, well known you get away with it.''

Obst started by borrowing as little as 20c at a time. At the age of 15 he won his first major tourney, a $10 re-buy tournament, netting him $17,000. James’s best online results, include winning US184,000.00 in April, $US101,546.00 last December, $US98,280.00 last September, and $US40,142.00 last August. What do you do if you’re the parent in this situation? Do you turn a blind eye and thank your lucky stars you have him as a child? Or do him in and have his money seized?

There is a simple answer. Underage Poker Playing IS illegal. It’s illegal for numerous reasons. To start with it is addictive. “As his obsession with the game grew, he would occasionally miss school when the bigger US tournaments were underway.” reports the Herald Sun, again on Obst. Education is the most important thing in life other then love. It is generally seen that underage poker players tend to miss school more frequently. Also it is very hard to deal with massive swings even as an adult. Playing as an underage poker player has got to be harder. Again reported by the herald sun “The swings of high stakes poker are not for the faint-hearted - Obst admits he once lost $200,000 in a single day!”. In addition adults talk a different language. There is as much bullying on the poker table as there is at school; more! Only this is adult bullying. Obscene things are said regardless of security implanted to prevent the use of certain words!

Simply, underage poker players are like underage drinkers. It will never ever be fully prevented and there are children who will do it. Underage Poker Playing occurs not only online but also offline as children setup their own little tournaments with lunch money at school, parties and weekend getaways with friends.

In Australia the legal age to play poker is 18; it is 21 in the USA and other regions of the world. This means a load of underage poker players in the USA etc, also flock to play live in other countries where as otherwise they would be banned. I expect to see many 18-20 year olds from the USA in Australia to attempt winning the Aussie Millions Poker Championship this month. USA calls these players “underage” and Australia doesn’t. How does one even draw the line on this? We are worlds apart! This is one debate that will never end! What do you think? At what age should people no longer be classed as underage poker players?

My personal opinion: If underage poker players can take the swings, the stress, know the maths, can by-pass intimidation, keep a straight face, be sensible, manage their bankroll and avoid taking time off school then poker can’t be that bad for them, poker is a lot like life! This is so long as they are not obsessed and losing a load of cash. If my child has the skills to squash high rollers and there are no governing rules, I am gonna let them (for as long as they enjoy it and are sensible). But let’s face it, that’s against the law and there is no sure way to test or trial the underage poker players. So for now; one has to stick with their individual governments rulings just like I do with my little ones.

Keep off the tables teeny boppers! Save the poker for the adults!