Poker is a game that requires a lot of mental energy. This is why players often feel tired at the end of a session or tournament. But the good news is that playing poker regularly can have some cognitive benefits. It can improve your ability to read people and situations accurately. It can also help you stay calm in stressful situations.

Poker also teaches players to develop quick instincts. This is a key skill in all games of poker. You can improve your instincts by observing experienced players and practicing your own gameplay. Observe the way other players react to different situations and imagine how you would react in those same circumstances. This will help you develop your own strategy.

Lastly, poker can teach players to become more patient. The game of poker involves a lot of ups and downs, so it is important for players to learn to ride out the highs and lows. This is especially true for tournament players, who are constantly facing ups and downs. Watching videos of Phil Ivey, who is one of the most patient players in the world, can help you get a better grasp of this concept.

Poker can also teach players to be more analytical and mathematical. The numbers involved in the game can be overwhelming at first, but they will begin to stick as you study them more and more. Over time, you’ll start to have a natural intuition for things like frequencies and EV estimation.