Poker is a card game played by two or more players. Each player makes a bet into the “pot”, which is the pool of chips (representing money) contributed by all players in each betting interval. A player must place enough chips into the pot to match the total contribution made by the player before him.

The skill required to play poker is a combination of focus, concentration and an ability to observe other players’ behaviour. This includes reading their tells, body language and the way they manage their chips. This observational skillset can benefit many other areas of life, from work to relationships.

A good poker player is also able to assess the quality of their own hand, which requires critical thinking. They can also make decisions under uncertainty – something many jobs require, too. The fact that poker is a game of chance means that luck plays a part in most deals, but the outcome of a hand can be significantly affected by the actions of the players.

Lastly, a good poker player is able to control their emotions. They won’t chase a bad hand or throw a tantrum when they lose, but will instead fold, learn and move on. This is a useful skill to have in other aspects of life and can lead to greater resilience and improved mental health.