POKER IN THE PSYCHOLOGY CLASSROOM

School Books Apple SmallAn article on the Card Player website this week features an interview with Dr Daniel DeBrule, an assistant professor at University South Bend, who teaches “Poker: Behavioural, Clinical, Cognitive and Social Concepts” to a class of 30 undergraduates.

In a similar vein to that of Charlie Nesson, the Harvard Law Professor, who uses poker in his teaching, DeBrule, 34, uses his background in clinical psychology with the aim of further legitimizing poker.

According to DeBrule, psychology has for years been an important part of poker, but analysis of what that actually means is missing.

“It’s a tricky thing because psychology is so multi-faceted,” says DeBrule, who invites professional poker players to speak to students. “You have biological psychology, clinical, social, experimental, developmental. There are so many layers to it.”

The interview, with Brian Pempus, discusses such things as emotional balance, control, superstition and tilt, all of which could potentially be brought under control by a little effort on the part of the player.

Ready to sign-up for class? Read the full interview on the Card Player website.