Poker is more than just a game of cards; it’s a skill that has real-life applications. It puts one’s analytical, mathematic and interpersonal skills to the test while challenging their own beliefs. It also indirectly teaches some valuable life lessons that most people are unaware of.

Teaches patience

Being a good poker player requires a lot of patience. It’s important to be able to wait for your turn and not be easily distracted by other players. This patience can be applied to other aspects of your life, whether it’s waiting for a response from a client or simply sitting in traffic.

Develops observational skills

A big part of being a good poker player is being able to read your opponents. This includes reading their body language, identifying tells and analysing their betting patterns. The more you practice this, the better you’ll become at it. This will help you in your career and in everyday life, as you’ll be able to analyse situations from multiple angles and make sound decisions.

Encourages self-belief

Many poker players are prone to overreacting when they have a bad session. They might start to question their abilities or their bankroll, which isn’t ideal for anyone. However, if you can learn to keep calm and carry on after a bad session, you’ll be much more resilient in the long run. This is something that all poker players must learn to do – it’s the only way they’ll be able to stay in the game for a long time.

Improves hand strength evaluation skills

When you’re playing poker, it’s essential to know your hand strengths. This will allow you to be more selective about which hands you play and which you pass on. It’s also important to understand how to make the most of your hands, which is why you should work on developing a solid preflop strategy.

Develops a solid understanding of ranges

One of the most important things you can do as a poker player is to understand ranges. This is where you work out the range of possible cards your opponent could have and then compare that to your own to determine how strong or weak their hand is. This is an essential skill for any good poker player to have, as it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

To really master this concept, you need to be dedicated to your study. Don’t bounce around too much – try to focus on studying ONE concept at a time, and stick with it for at least 15 weeks. This will ensure that you’re actually making headway in the concept you’re trying to learn, instead of bouncing around from topic to topic without ever really absorbing anything. For example, if you study a cbet video on Monday, a 3bet article on Tuesday and a poker book chapter about tilt management on Wednesday, you’ll never truly grasp any of them. Choose ONE concept each week and spend a full hour or two each day learning everything you can about it.