Poker is a card game played with a group of players. Each player puts in a small amount of money (the “ante”) before being dealt two cards face down. Players then place bets into the pot, which is collected when someone has a strong hand. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. In addition to demonstrating a good understanding of probability and odds, poker requires a high level of comfort with taking risks and the ability to weigh up multiple options before making a decision. Both skills are valuable in the business world as they help to develop confidence in taking on challenges and can reduce stress levels.

A good poker player knows how to read their opponents’ actions and tells. They can use this information to make informed decisions about what their opponent has in order to maximise the chance of winning. For example, if an opponent takes a long time to call or raise a bet this is often a sign of weakness as they are trying to decide whether they have you beat.

Poker also teaches players to take a ‘loss’ in their stride and not throw a tantrum if they don’t win. This is a valuable skill in business and can be applied to situations where a company encounters difficulty or a competitor makes a bold move. It is also a great way to develop resilience, which can also have benefits outside of the workplace.