Question: Should I allow my teen to play Poker or other card games in our home?
Answer: Are the teens who are playing the card game placing bets with their money? Then the answer is simple, no. That is gambling. It is not legal for all teens under 18 years of age and in some states you need to be as old as 21 or there is no gambling at all.
Are the teens using chips to play a game of Poker, Blackjack or other games, yet there is not monitory value to the chips, where none of the teens will have to 'pay up' upon leaving the game? If so, then this is a social game and an activity that teens enjoy playing. If your teen is playing this type of card game in your home, I would be on the lookout for signs of real betting and discourage that behavior with the entire group by establishing and letting everyone know the '‘no betting' house rule before the game starts.
Are the teens using chips to play a game of Poker, Blackjack or other games, yet there is not monitory value to the chips, where none of the teens will have to 'pay up' upon leaving the game? If so, then this is a social game and an activity that teens enjoy playing. If your teen is playing this type of card game in your home, I would be on the lookout for signs of real betting and discourage that behavior with the entire group by establishing and letting everyone know the '‘no betting' house rule before the game starts.
