Poker is a game that takes skill, strategy, and a good knowledge of probability. While it is a game that can be a bit overwhelming at first, there are many benefits to playing poker over time.
Longer concentration spans:
One of the biggest things that poker helps you improve is your focus. This is because the game requires you to concentrate on many different things at once. You need to be able to monitor your own hand, the other player’s hand, the cues of the dealer and the bets that are called.
Social skills:
Poker draws people from all walks of life and backgrounds, so it can help boost your social skills. This can be useful if you have a social job and need to interact with people on a regular basis.
Critical thinking:
Another benefit of playing poker is that it can help you think critically and logically. This can be useful if you are trying to win a large amount of money. It can also be beneficial if you need to make important decisions in a pressured environment, such as business.
Ability to read others:
A lot of the skill in poker comes from being able to read other players. This can be done by paying attention to their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and betting behavior.
Blocking bet:
This is a great way to control the pot in a poker game. By placing a small bet you get inside your opponent’s head and stop them from making a larger bet. This will often lead to them calling you with a lower sized bet.