Poker is a card game that requires an understanding of basic hand rankings, but also a keen ability to read other players and their tells. The divide between break-even beginner players and big-time winners is not nearly as wide as you might think, and it often comes down to a few simple adjustments that you make in your mental approach to the game.
For starters, a good poker player needs to be comfortable with uncertainty. There are always going to be unknowns in any game of poker, whether it’s the cards that have already been played, how they will be bet and acted upon or what other players might do with their hands. Poker players learn to decide under uncertainty by estimating the probabilities of different scenarios, a skill that can be easily applied outside of the poker table.
Another important aspect of poker is learning to be comfortable with failure. This is a lesson that can be applied to life in general and is something that many people struggle with. A good poker player knows that they will not win every single hand, and will often have to call or raise when they’re behind. They can accept this, and instead focus on the positives – that they’re working towards becoming a better player and improving their skills.
Finally, poker improves your maths skills, but not in the typical “1+1=2” kind of way. If you play poker regularly, you will soon find that you start to calculate odds in your head without even realising it. This is because you have to work out the probability that the card you need will be dealt in the next street, and compare that to the risk of raising your bet. It can be a little tricky at first, but with practice you’ll be able to do it quickly and accurately.
You will also be able to develop a deeper understanding of poker numbers, such as balance, frequencies and EV estimation. There are plenty of resources out there, including the excellent book “The One Percent” by Matt Janda.
Lastly, poker also helps you to become more self-aware. A good poker player is able to monitor their own emotions, and can spot when they are getting too greedy or when they are making emotional decisions. This can be a great life skill to have, as it will help you avoid making rash decisions in other areas of your life. In addition, poker can teach you to be more patient and calm, which is beneficial in the workplace. This will help you to get more done in the same amount of time, and can improve your overall quality of life.