Poker is a card game that involves betting amongst players with incomplete information. Each player is dealt two cards, and then five community cards are dealt in the middle (the “pot”). The goal of each player is to make the best possible hand with these two cards and the 5 community cards. A good poker player will be able to separate the known from the unknown, and the controllable from the uncontrollable.
A good poker player will also be able to learn from their mistakes. They won’t throw a fit if they have a bad beat, but rather will take it in stride and try to improve their game the next time around. This type of mental resilience has been shown to help people in other aspects of life as well.
Another skill that poker teaches is how to quickly calculate probabilities. This is important because it helps you decide whether or not to call a bet, raise your own, or fold. It is also helpful when calculating odds in other areas of your life. Another useful skill that poker teaches is how to read body language. This is helpful because it allows you to see when someone is nervous, bluffing, or happy with their hand. This can be very useful in a variety of situations, from job interviews to giving speeches.