Google Finance Portfolio as a Stock Simulation Game?

Question

Can one use the portfolio part of the Google Finance as a virtual stock trading game, to learn more about investment? If not, what features are lacking, and what is a good substitute?

Answer 1

Sure you could use it that way if you and some buddies just set up portfolios and tracked who did better.  The things missing are commissions and taxes.  Also everyone has to be totally honest really the main thing missing is that since its not real money you won't act the same way (ie it pays to take huge risks figuring I'll either win it all or lose everything but its worth the chance - in real life you'd be alot more conservative).