The game of poker puts a player’s analytical and mathematical skills to the test. It also tests a person’s interpersonal skills and their ability to stay focused and calm under pressure. The cognitive skills required to excel at poker can have a positive impact on other aspects of life.

Quick Math Skills

The quick decision making and critical analysis that poker demands help develop rapid-fire math skills. It’s important to know the odds of getting a particular hand, which requires quick calculations. The more you play, the faster you will learn to make these calculations.

Improved Concentration

The concentration required to play poker is a valuable skill that can benefit other areas of life. A lack of focus can lead to big losses, which can be costly in poker and other games. By constantly challenging the mind, poker trains a player to be more focused and concentrate better.

Resilience

Poker can be a stressful and frustrating game, but one of the biggest lessons that a player will learn is how to deal with failure. The best players will not chase a bad beat or throw a temper tantrum, instead learning from their mistakes and moving on. This is a great lesson that can be applied to other areas of life, and will help you build resilience.

The card game has also made its way into a number of videogames, with the popular RPG Hard West 2 incorporating poker into world building. Players collect cards that unlock unique abilities for the hero Gin Carter, as well as higher statistics for his gang of toughs. This is a welcome change to standard experience point systems that have become common in many other games.