The Benefits of Playing Poker

Poker is a game that requires a lot of brain power and the ability to think on your feet. As such, it’s a great way to train your mind and build self-confidence, both of which can be useful in business or other endeavors where you might have to make decisions without all the facts.

Poker also teaches you how to read other people, which is a valuable skill in life. The ability to notice tells and subtle changes in an opponent’s behavior can help you understand what they are thinking or feeling, which can help you adjust your own playing style accordingly.

It’s not uncommon for players to get emotional in a poker game. Getting too caught up in your emotions can lead to bad decisions that can cost you money, so it’s important to learn how to control your emotions. Poker can also teach you how to manage your stress levels by setting long-term goals and working hard to achieve them.

The poker landscape has changed dramatically since 2004 (back during the Moneymaker Boom there were just a few good poker forums and a handful of books worth reading). Now there are hundreds of poker forums, Discord channels and FB groups to join, an almost infinite number of software programs to train with and countless poker books that are worthy of a read. Poker is more accessible than ever and with so much available information, the game has become even more fun to play.