Poker is a fascinating game, not only because of its rules and history, but also because it’s such a window into human nature. The element of luck that can bolster or tank even the best players makes it more lifelike than many sports, and understanding its intricacies is deeply satisfying.
From the recreational player who thinks nothing of losing money to have fun, to the hard-core nit who hangs onto every chip for dear life, there is a staggering variety of poker players out there. Reading them is a critical skill at any level of play. A good poker reader can put his opponent on a range of hands, and only then can he hope to make the right decision most of the time.
It’s a lesson that’s difficult to learn outside the poker table, but it’s essential in life as well. It’s easy to get fooled into believing you have all the information needed to make a decision, but in reality you never do. Whether you’re making an investment, or deciding whether to hire that new employee, there are always unforeseen variables that come into play.
Poker forces you to be comfortable with taking risks, and it teaches you to evaluate your options carefully before making a decision. It’s a skill that can be applied to nearly any endeavor, and it can improve your decisions in ways you might not expect. For example, learning to be comfortable with uncertainty can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that plague professional investors.