When you sit down to play poker, it’s not just your cards that are at stake; you’re also putting a lot of thought into how you will make the best decision in each hand. And while that may seem like a tedious exercise, there are actually a number of benefits that come with the mental work of the game.
A large part of poker is about calculation, and over time you’ll become a better decision-maker and more proficient at mental arithmetic. But perhaps the most valuable skill poker can teach you is patience, which will serve you well when you encounter complex problems in your life.
Another important thing that poker teaches you is to be flexible and creative, both of which can be highly useful in other areas of your life. You’ll often find yourself making decisions at the poker table that are out of your comfort zone, and having a high level of flexibility and creativity will help you to think outside the box and find unique solutions when needed.
Finally, poker will teach you to be more self-aware. This is because you will have to constantly monitor your emotions and moods when playing poker. This will help you to understand how your behavior affects other players, and improve your ability to read their moods and thoughts in a social setting. This is an extremely beneficial skill to have in any area of your life, but it’s particularly useful for professional situations where you will need to be able to deal with unexpected changes in the context.
Finally, poker will help you to develop the ability to accept and learn from your mistakes. This is a hugely important skill, and one that many people struggle with in their lives. If you can learn to accept the bad sessions and not let them destroy your confidence or bankroll, then this is a great way to improve your resilience and be able to bounce back from tough times in life. It can also be a great way to improve your social skills, as you’ll learn to interact with other people in a fun and challenging environment.
