its a good skill to pick up. read the mit guide to lockpicking ( http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/MITLockGuide.pdf ) . some good stuff in there. ive used it once when a friend lost his house key, so excited when the lock opened. beginners need a tension wrench, a rake, and a half diamond or hook. in my prime i could open a deadbolt in a couple minutes
also wafer locks (the kind on filing cabinets) are SO easy