A game that involves betting money and bluffing, poker is an exciting and stimulating game that is both challenging and rewarding. It’s a game that requires a combination of skill, psychology and probability to excel, and playing it regularly can help improve your life in more ways than you might expect. Here are ten unexpected benefits of poker:

1. Poker teaches you how to read players.

While it’s easy to focus on your own hand, you also need to pay attention to the players around you. This is why learning to read other players is a huge part of poker. Many people assume that reading other players comes down to subtle physical tells such as scratching your nose or wagging your head, but the truth is that it’s more about studying their patterns. For example, if you see someone calling every single bet then it’s likely that they’re holding some pretty bad cards.

2. Poker helps you improve your memory.

Trying to remember the odds of your opponent’s hands, their previous actions and even their general demeanour is a great way to exercise your brain. This will make your mind sharper in the long run, as well as helping you perform better at the poker table.

3. Poker is a great way to learn how to handle failure.

No matter how good of a player you are, losing is part of the game. However, you should try to approach losing as a lesson instead of simply throwing a fit. This will not only help you to become a better player, but it’ll also be helpful in your personal and professional lives.