Poker is often portrayed as a game of chance, but when you look closely at the game it’s actually quite a skill-intensive activity. Whether you play as a hobby or for a living, the game is going to teach you a lot about yourself and how to be a better person both at the table and in life.
First of all, poker teaches you the importance of staying focused on your task at hand. It’s so easy to get distracted in this world of smart phones, tablets and TV screens, but being able to focus on the current hand you are playing and ignore any other potential distractions is crucial to becoming a successful poker player.
The game also teaches you the importance of understanding the reasoning behind other people’s actions. When you have a good read on your opponent, it can make your decision making a whole lot easier. The reading doesn’t have to be a deep read; simply noticing that an opponent has raised their eyebrows or has a nervous expression can tell you a lot about their mindset.
Another great thing that poker teaches you is the ability to take control of a situation. It’s not uncommon for players to lose a lot of money in one session, and it’s important that you learn how to keep your cool in these situations. This will help you avoid tilt and make sure that you don’t try to force a win when it isn’t there. Instead, you’ll be able to re-buy and continue playing without getting discouraged or losing your temper.
Poker also teaches you how to assess a hand’s strength. While most poker players will bluff at times, it is important to know what type of hand you have and how strong it is in order to decide how to play it. If you have a weak hand, it is often best to just call and hope that your opponent has a worse one than yours.
The final skill that poker teaches you is the importance of studying hand charts. This will give you an idea of what hands beat which, as well as when to raise and when to call. If you want to improve your game, it’s essential that you know which hands you should raise with from each position, and it is possible to find free hand charts online.
In short, poker is a very difficult game, but it’s one that can bring you a lot of joy as long as you stick to your bankroll and don’t get caught up in the hype surrounding the game. If you can master the game, you’ll be able to apply the skills learned in the game to other aspects of your life and become a better player both at home and at the tables.