Poker is a game that puts an individual’s analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. It is also a game that indirectly teaches many valuable lessons.
The game requires players to make decisions in situations where they have incomplete information, similar to those encountered in business. Experienced poker players (and business owners) learn to rely on their own judgment and combine the critical pieces of the puzzle to create a plan.
This can be a powerful lesson in business and life. It’s important to understand that if you don’t have all the information you need, it may be more beneficial to bluff and hope for the best rather than calling every bet and losing everything to a player with a good hand.
Another poker-related lesson is the importance of observing other players and reading their body language. Paying attention to tells (non-verbal signs that indicate a person is nervous, such as fiddling with their chips or rings) and watching how they play can help a player improve their game. For example, a player who raises a bet may be attempting to bluff and psyche players into thinking they have a strong hand. The player may then be able to call the raise and win the pot, narrowing the field of opponents and raising the value of their hand. This strategy can be particularly effective if the player is holding a made hand and doesn’t need to draw cards to win.