Poker is a game of cards and chance, but it is also a game of skill. The more you play, the better you get. While it may not be the best hobby for everyone, if you stick with it you can improve your life in many ways. Here are some of the top 20 benefits that poker can bring to your life.
1. It Improves Math Skills
Poker requires a certain amount of math. You have to know the odds of getting a particular hand and calculate how much you can risk with your own money. This is a great way to develop your mathematical abilities, and it’s useful outside of the game too.
You can apply this type of thinking to business, investment decisions, and even other aspects of life. Learning how to estimate probability will help you make good choices in any situation where uncertainty exists.
2. It Improves Social Skills
Poker involves interacting with other players, and it is often played in groups. This is a great way to meet people and build relationships. It is also a great way to practice interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
3. It Improves Emotional Regulation
Poker can be very stressful, especially if you’re losing a lot of money. It can be easy to let your emotions run wild and act irrationally. However, a good poker player knows how to control their emotions and use them to their advantage. This is an important skill that can be applied to other areas of life, such as a job interview or a difficult situation at work.
4. It Improves Resilience
In poker, you’ll often experience losses and bad beats. You’ll need to learn how to deal with these setbacks and keep on playing. You can learn this by watching videos of world-class poker players like Phil Ivey. Notice how he doesn’t go on tilt after a bad beat.
5. It Improves Decision Making under Uncertainty
Poker is a game of strategy and probabilities. When you play, you must decide whether to call or fold based on the information you have available at that moment. Unlike other games, poker doesn’t provide you with all the information you need to make a decision. You must make decisions under uncertainty, and that’s a crucial aspect of the game. Developing the ability to make good decisions in uncertain situations will serve you well throughout your life.
6. It Improves the Ability to Assess Risk
Poker can teach you how to assess risks and avoid making rash decisions. Whether in poker or in other areas of your life, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option before you take a big gamble.
7. It Increases Long-Term Memory
Long-term studies have shown that poker can reduce your chances of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50%. This is a fantastic result, and it’s worth remembering that there are lots of other mental improvements you can gain by playing poker.