Poker is an incredible game that pushes your analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the limit. It also indirectly teaches many life lessons that you can apply in your day-to-day endeavors.
First, poker teaches you the importance of focusing on the task at hand and not getting distracted by outside factors. You need to be able to notice tells, changes in your opponents’ betting patterns and other subtle nuances that can make or break your winning strategy. This skill is beneficial in many other aspects of life, especially when making decisions as an entrepreneur or athlete.
The game teaches you the value of being an aggressive player when it makes sense. You have to be willing to risk your chips to win a pot, but only when you can be sure you are maximizing the potential return on investment. You will lose money if you don’t adjust your play style depending on the situation. For example, when you are in EP or MP you should play tight and only call with strong hands. Alternatively, when your opponent shows weakness by checking on the flop and turn you can be very aggressive with bluffs to take advantage of this.
Another important lesson that poker teaches you is to keep your emotions in check. If you let your frustrations get the best of you, it will be impossible to make good decisions. You must learn to embrace failure, treat it as a learning opportunity and move on, something that will come in handy in the business world as well as your personal life.