When is my really smart 6 year old ready for Pokemon CCG?

[Simon Atavax]

Title says it all, I guess. My daughter (who's actually turning six this weekend) is frickin' smart. We regularly play WebKinz CCG (which is actually a fun little game, albeit pretty much made for kids) together--she's pretty proud that the game is "recommended for ages eight and up".

I'd like to go to the "next step" in card gaming with her, but I know she's not ready yet for anything beyond WebKinz. (Even with WebKinz, we lay out all our cards rather than keep them hidden, because hand management is tough for her without some advice on what to discard, etc.).

But I would really like to get her to start playing Pokemon CCG with me in maybe a year or so. I'm just curious about the complexity of the game (I know NOTHING about it). How complicated is it?

 

[Asmor]

I know it's not really answering your question, but might I recommend Dominion? It's got really simple rules, yet has great strategic depth.

The gist is, you each start with a deck of 10 cards; 7 copper coins and 3 "estates" (worth 1 victory point each, but otherwise useless). You spend coins to buy new cards, which are added to your deck.

Besides buying more coins (including silver and gold) and more victory points, there's also 10 different action cards available for purchase, chosen at the beginning of the game from a pool of 25. The game plays very differently depending on which cards are in it, so there's a lot of variety and replayability.

And the best part is, it's not collectible. For $50 (MSRP; not hard to find it for less), you get the whole thing, all 500 cards.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

My take on it? Sit down and try it out- she may surprise you.

I'm a wunderkind myself- I was reading college level stuff by 2nd grade- and early on, my Mom tired of games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, and Under the Big Umbrella.

So instead, she taught me Gin Rummy, Blackjack and other card games. She didn't take it easy on me either- she played to win. By the time I reached the aforementioned 2nd grade, we were pretty evenly matched. At the same time she was teaching me cards, my Dad was teaching me Chess. To date, he's the only person I've played that I have never beaten.

Why do I tell you this? Because the biggest danger with really smart kids is them getting bored and trying to alleviate their curiosity without adult supervision.

So again, take the time to teach her the game. She may not get it right off the bat, but if she's really a smart cookie, she'll be kicking your booty before you realize it.

The main trick I can see is that games like Pokemon have the same type of complexity that M:tG has- that of deck building. She may quickly master the playstyle, but may have continuing difficulty building competitive decks for quite a while.

 

[Simon Atavax]

My take on it? Sit down and try it out- she may surprise you.

I'm a wunderkind myself- I was reading college level stuff by 2nd grade- and early on, my Mom tired of games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, and Under the Big Umbrella.

So instead, she taught me Gin Rummy, Blackjack and other card games. She didn't take it easy on me either- she played to win. By the time I reached the aforementioned 2nd grade, we were pretty evenly matched. At the same time she was teaching me cards, my Dad was teaching me Chess. To date, he's the only person I've played that I have never beaten.

Why do I tell you this? Because the biggest danger with really smart kids is them getting bored and trying to alleviate their curiosity without adult supervision.

So again, take the time to teach her the game. She may not get it right off the bat, but if she's really a smart cookie, she'll be kicking your booty before you realize it.

The main trick I can see is that games like Pokemon have the same type of complexity that M:tG has- that of deck building. She may quickly master the playstyle, but may have continuing difficulty building competitive decks for quite a while.

Thanks for mentioning Candyland . . . I had flashbacks of horror sitting through that game when she was three.

You know, your post actually has inspired me somewhat. My girl is pretty bright, and loves, loves, games. Maybe it's worth a shot. (And hell, even if my kid can't quite handle Pokemon yet, maybe my wife and I can play it. )

Toys R Us has a cheap starter set. I'll do it!!!

 

[Mr. Beef]

I think you would probably both benefit from going to this web site How to play the Pokemon TCG and having a go through the demo game that is on line to see if she's ready to do it. It's a pretty easy demo and teaches the new to the game how to do it. It kind of railroads you through the game, but I can't recommend it enough.

I think the Pokemon TCG has just enough strategy to give the both of you a good time.

Just my 1/4 Pound.

Mr. Beef