Poker is a great game for enhancing your critical thinking and strategic decision-making skills. You’ll also be pushing your mathematical abilities in the right direction (though, let’s face it, you might not even realize that).
When playing poker, you are constantly making decisions based on incomplete information. It is important to understand and analyze this information in order to make the most profitable decisions. This knowledge can help you get value from your strongest hands, bluff against weak opponents, and control how many cards you see and your opponent sees.
You should always have a reason for every action you take – bet, raise, call, or fold. This will keep you from making a mistake when it’s most likely your opponent has the best hand, and you’ll be able to assess whether your play is good or not. For example, if you raise for value and your opponent calls the bet, how much did you have to invest in your opponent’s hand to be a good call?
Another important skill to learn in poker is how to manage your emotions. A good player will not get angry or throw a tantrum if they have a bad beat. This can be hard to achieve, but learning to deal with losses and take them as lessons will improve your overall resilience. This will benefit you both in poker and in life.