Poker is a card game where players place chips into the pot (the total of all bets) and then receive cards that are kept secret from other players. The goal is to form a high-ranking hand from the cards you have in order to win the pot. Poker is a game of chance and risk, but it also requires strategic thinking, analysis and mathematics. The skills learned in poker can be transferred to many areas of life, from business to personal finance and beyond.

Teaches patience

Poker requires the ability to be patient and wait for a good hand. This is a skill that can benefit people in all aspects of their lives, especially in this day and age where most things are instant gratification. The game of poker teaches players to analyze the pros and cons of a situation, make a rational decision based on analytical reasoning and not emotional reactions, and then execute that decision in a timely manner.

Teach players to read other players

Reading other players is a vital part of poker. It helps you determine whether or not they’re playing a strong hand, and can give you an idea of their bluffing strategies. Most poker reads don’t come from subtle physical poker tells, but rather patterns that players establish over time.