Poker is a card game played by two or more players and involves betting with chips (often called “blinds”). The goal of the game is to form a hand based on the rankings of the cards that you have in front of you. You then attempt to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed before the next card is dealt (the “river”).
One of the biggest challenges in poker is reading the other players at your table. This requires careful observation, so you can spot tells and changes in body language and interpret what they mean for your own strategy. Being able to read and understand other people is a highly desirable skill that can be applied to many situations, from selling products to leading a group.
Poker also helps you to learn how to make decisions based on incomplete information. For example, when you’re acting in position and know that your opponent/s will probably fold, you can make a value bet to extract as many chips as possible from them with your strong hands. You’ll also learn how to calculate the probability of your opponents having a specific hand and determine how much you can win if they call or raise your bet.
Finally, playing poker can also improve your resilience by teaching you to accept your losses and move on. The ability to take a loss without a meltdown is a valuable life skill and something that can be applied in a variety of situations, from work to relationships.