Teacher Schools Poker Champs

  The New York Times recently touted the educational benefits of poker. If this was an isolated incident, one would chalk it up to a simple opinion written in a paper that can no longer report the date without having to print a retraction for sloppy research. The Times article was just one of a number of opinions that are yammering on about the academic applications of the game. Staff members from Harvard Law School have been banging this same drum for over six months, so the thought has been gaining momentum. Those who think the whole topic has about as much social value as a guide to aging gracefully written by Michael Jackson need look no further than poker player Grant Levy to see what can happen when academia meets the poker table.  Mr. Levy is a suburban school teacher from Sydney, Australia. He also is the newest poker millionaire on the block. He managed to edge out over 500 other players on the way to becoming the Asia Pacific Poker Tournament Champion. Usually when we hear of somebody coming out of nowhere to win a tournament, they are generally playing against an equally anonymous field, but in this case the list of the vanquished included four world champions: Joe Hachem (2005), Scotty Nguyen (1998), Chris Moneymaker (2003) and Greg Raymer (2004).  So, with all the attention given to the possible link between education and poker, one has to wonder if there is something in the game that Grant could pass on to his students in order to help them become more accomplished students. Of course considering the fact that the chances are better than average that he will leave the teaching profession to pursue a Holdem career, it is more likely he honed his poker skills in the class while ferreting out which student put the tack on his chair.