Poker is a great game to develop your strategic thinking, attention to detail and practice assessing risks versus rewards. All of which are essential skills for business and other professions. The ability to control your emotions is also an important aspect of the game. A good poker player won’t chase a loss or throw a tantrum, but will simply learn from the experience and move on. This resilience can be valuable in high-pressure situations outside of the poker table too.
Concentration is another key aspect of poker, as you need to be able to pay attention to the cards that are being dealt as well as any information your opponents might be giving away. Being able to notice tells and other small changes in the way your opponents are behaving can make all the difference when it comes to making the right decision under uncertainty.
Maths is a necessary part of poker, and it’s important to get it right. Thankfully, there are a number of resources available to help you with this. One of our favourites is ‘The Mathematics of Poker’, which provides a comprehensive overview of balance, frequencies and ranges in a way that’s easy to digest.
Finally, it’s also worth noting that the more you play poker, the better you’ll become at it. So go out and try your luck! You might just surprise yourself.