Poker is a card game that requires a lot of thinking, strategy planning and decision making. While many people believe it is purely a game of chance, there is a lot of skill involved, especially in the betting phase. If you are a beginner to the game, here are ten unexpected benefits of learning and playing poker.
Teaches risk assessment
It is very important to be able to evaluate the potential risks and rewards of any situation before you make a decision. This is an essential life skill and poker helps you practice it by teaching you how to assess the strength of your hand, your opponent’s hand, and the pot odds.
Teaches patience
Playing poker teaches you to be patient and wait for the right moment to raise or fold. This is an important skill to learn as it can help you save money and avoid going bust.
Teaches teamwork
Poker is a very social game that brings together a group of people to sit around and talk. This can be a great way to get people who may not normally interact talking to each other and building friendships. It is also a good activity to encourage in retirement homes, as it gets people out of their rooms and interacting with each other.