Poker is a game that puts an individual’s analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. It’s also a game that indirectly teaches many life lessons to those who play it.

1. Poker Improves Concentration

Unlike some other card games, poker requires players to make decisions while not having all the information available. This is a key skill to learn for making good decisions in other areas of your life as well. To decide under uncertainty you must first consider the different scenarios and then estimate which ones are more likely than others.

2. Poker Teaches Emotional Control

While poker can be fun, it can also be stressful. This stress can trigger a lot of emotions like anger and frustration. If these emotions aren’t kept in check, they can lead to negative consequences. Poker teaches people how to deal with these emotions and help them to keep their cool.

3. Poker Helps You Develop Quick Instincts

One of the best things you can do to get better at poker is to study and practice it. This will allow you to pick up new tips faster and apply them to your game. A good strategy is to focus on ONE concept each week. This can be anything from watching a cbet video on Monday to reading an article about ICM on Tuesday. Once you have mastered this concept, move on to the next. This will allow you to ingest new information much faster and allow you to improve faster as a player.