How Poker Improves Decision-Making and Resilience

Poker is a card game in which players bet on the strength of their cards. It’s a game of incomplete information—players know there are 52 cards in the deck, but they don’t know what specific cards their opponents have or how they will play them. As a result, poker requires players to evaluate probabilities and make decisions under uncertainty, which can help improve overall decision-making skills in other aspects of life as well.

Another way that poker can improve critical thinking and analysis is by encouraging players to pick up on tells. By analyzing other players’ behavior, you can learn what they might be holding and adjust your strategy accordingly. You can also look for subconscious visual cues, such as a player glancing at their chips when they’re feeling strong and are likely to bet or raise.

Finally, poker can help develop resilience, which is an essential skill for success in many areas of life. Resilience involves learning how to cope with failure and seeing it as a chance to learn and improve. A good poker player will not chase a bad hand or throw a temper tantrum; instead, they’ll fold and move on. This perspective can translate into other aspects of life, such as job interviews or romantic relationships. In fact, a strong poker game can often get you through the door of a company ahead of someone with a better CV, but a weak one may not even get you to the front of the line.