4 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Poker

Poker is a game of cards that puts an individual’s analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. Besides being a fun game to play, it also teaches a lot of important life lessons.

1. Teaches you the value of patience and perseverance.

Unlike other card games where one miss can cost you the game, poker requires intense concentration. It teaches you to focus on the cards, your opponents and their reactions (if playing in person). It helps develop your concentration level making you more efficient in any task that demands it.

2. Teach you to read people and understand their motivations.

You need to have an eagle eye to spot the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents at the table. This skill can be applied to other situations in your personal and professional life as well. Poker also teaches you to make calculated risks that can lead to big rewards. This will help you in all aspects of your life.

3. teaches you about hand strength.

In poker, the higher your hand is, the more likely you are to win. A straight consists of five consecutive cards of the same rank. A full house consists of three matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank. And a pair is made up of two cards of the same rank, plus one unmatched card.

After the initial deal, players place a forced bet and then act in turns by calling or raising their opponents’ bets. When no player is willing to call any more, they can check and forfeit their hand. This process is repeated until one player has all the chips or everyone folds.