Harvard Law School professor Charles Nesson thinks so. “I like poker because it's a way of thinking," said Mr. Nesson, whose classes analyze the legal and ethical issues of the game. He believes that poker, may even have a valuable lesson to teach us.

Professor Nesson recently partnered with the student-led Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society last month to offer on campus seminars related to current poker issues and implications. The lectures are part of a wider push to give the game serious academic backing.

Poker has exploded in popularity, attracting millions of people to its tournaments. Last year, Congress passed a law that banned the use of credit cards and other types of financial transfers for online betting in games “of chance.” That prompted Mr. Nesson to elevate poker into a serious academic discussion, to determine the purpose of these laws and probe the nature of the game.

Poker, its proponents argue, is a game of skill. Although luck may be involved, the game is ultimately determined by betting and getting opponents to fold, so strategy, psychology, self-control and risk assessment is a greater factor in being successful at the tables.

Many enthusiasts believe that playing echoes many of the skills that propel people to success in the business world. Discipline, critical reasoning, money management, strategy and tactics, are all skills that are useful, if not essential for entrepreneurship, and that are learned by having a good understanding of poker theory.

Although proposals are still not being made for poker to be included in the college curriculum, there could come a day when learning the rules is as important as basic economics.