Video
It is fairly well known by now that Levitt has more than a passing interest in poker, and he’s occasionally shown some promise.
(His blackjack skills, meanwhile, are subject to debate.)
It is also well-established that, as a parent, he’s less interested in reading a standard bedtime story than in teaching his kids to think creatively and strategically — by playing Rock Paper Scissors, for instance.
So it’s probably not that surprising to learn that he’s taught his kids to play poker as well. In this new FREAK-TV offering, Levitt explains how his daughter Amanda picked up seven-card stud quickly — so much so that she went looking for an edge. “It’s a very proud moment as a parent,” he says, “the idea that your seven-year-old learns how to think strategically enough to cheat.”
and 
. You can also watch it on 
Heh, I’m hoping that somewhere in the world behind Freak-TV that there’s also lessons about honesty.
Heh, I’m hoping that somewhere in the world behind Freak-TV that there’s also lessons about honesty.
Also, it would be cool if there was a simple way to embed these videos on blogs and what not.
Also, it would be cool if there was a simple way to embed these videos on blogs and what not.
My brother and I would play stud poker all the time. We started by playing Casino with our grandmothers – that’s an old addition-based card game – than moved on to Gin. By young, I mean I was maybe 4. My brother started marking cards pretty quickly, at around age 6, beginning with little tells like a slightly frazzled edge and then going to small marks on the backs. Learning to cheat when there are no stakes is part of learning because you are working on the meaning of rules, how far they extend, and how and when they can be set aside. If you always think inside the rules as narrowly construed, then you are thinking in a box. My brother became a very good Hearts player quickly because he liked to take the risks necessary for a big score.
BTW, we realized early that it’s easier to cheat adults because they don’t watch very carefully but that old people also watch carefully but not for unexpected things. You could cheat a kid once or twice but then they’d start watching for everything, like the mutual distrust of an arms race.
My youngest daughter was an excellent cheater when little. She’d slip in cards, move pieces, whatever it took.
My brother and I would play stud poker all the time. We started by playing Casino with our grandmothers – that’s an old addition-based card game – than moved on to Gin. By young, I mean I was maybe 4. My brother started marking cards pretty quickly, at around age 6, beginning with little tells like a slightly frazzled edge and then going to small marks on the backs. Learning to cheat when there are no stakes is part of learning because you are working on the meaning of rules, how far they extend, and how and when they can be set aside. If you always think inside the rules as narrowly construed, then you are thinking in a box. My brother became a very good Hearts player quickly because he liked to take the risks necessary for a big score.
BTW, we realized early that it’s easier to cheat adults because they don’t watch very carefully but that old people also watch carefully but not for unexpected things. You could cheat a kid once or twice but then they’d start watching for everything, like the mutual distrust of an arms race.
My youngest daughter was an excellent cheater when little. She’d slip in cards, move pieces, whatever it took.
Its funny I never thought of seven card stud as the easiest game until you said that. I was raised on draw poker so I must associate that with being the easiest form, but when put in perspective its actually the hardest. I know this isn’t very interesting but I play a lot of games and spend time thinking about them and it blew my mind that I never thought about stud and draw that way.
Its funny I never thought of seven card stud as the easiest game until you said that. I was raised on draw poker so I must associate that with being the easiest form, but when put in perspective its actually the hardest. I know this isn’t very interesting but I play a lot of games and spend time thinking about them and it blew my mind that I never thought about stud and draw that way.