Poker is a card game that puts the player’s analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. It is also a game that indirectly teaches life lessons. Here are a few of them:
Teaches the importance of planning ahead. A good poker player always has a plan for what to do when he or she has a weak hand. This planning can help save money and ensure the player has enough funds to play in future hands. It can also help the player make the best decision in the current hand, whether to bluff or fold.
Improves the ability to read other people. Poker players must be able to read the tells of their opponents, such as idiosyncrasies in the way they place their chips or fiddle with them. They must also be able to read other players’ betting habits, such as a player who calls frequently but suddenly raises a lot may be holding an unbeatable hand.
Instills the value of patience and discipline. A poker player must learn to avoid playing with weak starting hands such as high pairs or consecutive cards and instead wait for stronger ones. This can prevent the player from wasting their money and will help them become a better poker player in the long run.
Builds resilience. A bad poker session can take a player’s confidence and bankroll, but the best players won’t chase their losses or throw a tantrum when they lose. This resilience will serve them well in their personal and professional lives, where they might have to face setbacks as well.