It’s pretty common among the tide of younger online poker players common in online forums today to find that their interest in Texas hold em poker online spurred from a prior interest in the popular roleplaying card game, Magic: The Gathering. Though the two widely differ in practice, there are common elements to the games that make the step between the two rather naturalthe element of chance meets skill, the want for competition, the lucrative aspects of prize money and acclaim, etc. In each of these elements, it seems that Magic could be considered a training ground of the youth in the ways of strategy and table-based competition that could positively prepare their mind for the game of poker. All of the components mentioned above as present in Magic are more pronounced in pokerthere is more money involved, more fame, higher stakes, etc.but truly the complex nature of Magic’s set up could be argued even more dynamic, if in a totally different way. In the same manner that chess might affect a poker player’s outlook on the game, Magic offers a breeding ground of tactical prowess and spirit. Having been involved in both at different times, I’d say that any Magic player is suited to become an above average poker player.
