Poker is a game of strategy and luck, but it’s largely skill that allows players to make money over the long run. Playing poker regularly also helps develop a number of other skills that are beneficial outside of the card table.
1. Teaches you to work out odds
A key element of successful poker is learning how to calculate the odds in your head. It’s not just the standard 1+1=2 kind of math, but more about working out the probability that a specific hand will be made. This is a great way to improve your overall maths abilities and is something that can be applied in real life, too.
2. Teaches you to be disciplined
It’s important for a good poker player to be able to remain calm and focussed in the face of stressful situations. This is because they’re constantly being forced to make decisions quickly when playing the game. Having the ability to remain calm in these kinds of situations is beneficial for people both inside and outside of the poker world.
3. Teaches you to be resilient
There are a lot of ups and downs in poker, and it’s important that you can learn from your losses as well as your wins. A good poker player will not chase a loss or throw a tantrum after a bad beat, they’ll simply take it as a lesson and move on. This is a very valuable skill that can be applied to all areas of life.