HS/College or new grads: How big is poker among young people?

[guids]

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All,

"Overall, poker USED to be a lot bigger than it is now"

"Poker si not as popular"

I'm really curious how many of you agree with those types of comments re: the popularity of poker among HS/college students.

If that is really true, then the current unprecedented number of people playing things like 100/200+NL could end up really drying up the games a lot faster than anyone expects.

[/ QUOTE ]


I think that may be harder to judge though than we think. BandM has with no questions, at least around here, has declined, and it started to much before the legislation was passed. The thing is though, you dont know about online players, becuase unless you happen to run into them in a casino/home game, you dont know if they play or not other than teh random encounter.

[uclaben]

Recent college grad here...I think poker is still fairly popular, but not close to its peak level around three years ago. At that point, pretty much EVERYONE was playing little home games, watching on TV, etc. Could have just been my circle of friends, but it definitely feels like the fad has waned considerably. On the other hand, most guys I know still enjoy the game and play occasionally, they're just not thinking or playing poker on a regular basis.

One other note: in my two or so years of playing mid-limit hold'em in the LA casinos (mostly 15/30), I've seen no more than four or five people under the age of 25. Most young players seem to be solidly encroached in the no-limit games, although I don't know how many are playing high-stakes ($500 buy-in or above) there either.

[guids]

Most young players seem to be solidly encroached in the no-limit games



This is def true.



does anyone disagree that the decline started much before the legislation?

[Jeffmet3]

i think a major reason why poker, and more specifically online poker isn't growing in the US is because it's so hard for new people to get started

even the lowest levels are starting to get filled with nitty multitablers. they might not be good, but they don't give away a lot of money fast and i'm sure they're boring to play with.

after losing their initial deposit a few times, they conclude that online poker is rigged, or dumb, and that's it.

although, my perspective in the change is much greater due to being at college, versus at home as there are huge socioeconomic differences and perspectives of money.

[Learning]

I'm currently a senior in highschool in California, and I know of about 5 guys that are remotely interested in playing. However, I think this is somewhat tainted due to the fact that everyone knows me as a student of the game (and the few times I've played with them I've left with just about all the chips).

There are a couple home-games that I know have and have been to in town - mainly run by mid-twenties solid players. They seem to have a nice system where they find fish that are going for fun with friends and go busto. Very profitable for the stakes (.5/1NL).

I've spoke to a couple guys on 2p2 that already go to the college I'll be attending in the fall, and as far as they know there are no prominent poker groups, although there are individual players.

The general consensus amongst people that don't study the game is that poker is no different than multiplayer blackjack with bluffing. One girl came up to me while I was reading Sklansky at lunch and said "You know, card counting is a myth."

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[PITTM]

my weekly homegame is a fairly mixed crowd. There are like 4-5 23-25 year olds and then 4-5 19-21 year olds. The 19-21guys all go to a community college around here and they always tell me about the games they have going in the study labs. They said its normally like 15-20 kids ranging from like 17 to 22. Its really surprising to me because ive never had anyone at any school i went to want to play poker. It certainly seems to have influenced young people to a certain degree.

[ThaSaltCracka]

El D, my personal experience with poker players nowadays is the home game is making a revival. Poker has once again started to become a social game than a money making game. I think the fad has definitely reached a peak. Too much exposure on ESPN(2) and FSN.

[El Diablo]

TSC,

"El D, my personal experience with poker players nowadays is the home game is making a revival."

Yes, I've been invited to quite a few casual low buyin home games recently. On the plus side, I now have three groups of mid-to-late twenties women who want me to throw a "teach them how to play poker" party.

[john voight]

I live in bay area.

Poker is not too hot here. In high school it was not too popular. Just me and like 10 degens, ppl would go broke, and never play. So naturally the population was low. The stakes were tiny. Like, ppl buy in w/ 10 bucks.

Most anyone had won was in a freeze out cash game that may have lasted 7-8 hours. 185$ about he took home.

In College, I see kids playing in classon phone/laptop. It seems this is just recreational, possibly even play chips. I think if you are making a pretty coin playing cards, you are not going to be taking school seriously. I would be surprised if anyone in my GE classes (which I have been taking for 3 years, and will likely still be taking next year) were very good.

Only 1 kid I know (word of mouth) is making decent cash playing 5/10. He bought a new car or something. I should hit him up and have him teach me, as I play uber low stakes.

On 2+2, the success stories are really one of a kind, and not an accurate depiction of young kids, IMO.

Lastly, I do not seek poker players at school, so my knowledge is limited.

[ahnuld]

Kinda hard for us to answer this because I am known as the "poker guy" to people who sorta know me. So they talk poker to me alot. But id guess its definitely dying down amoung guys I know, just because in junior year of college, nobody has time to get together and play. In terms of guys making 100k+ at mcgill, the only ones I know of are Ansky and I, although im sure there are a few others.

Also, I know of no big games among people my age. If they play, buyin is generally under 100.