What poker can teach you about real life

[Poker](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) is a special game because it has so many layers to it. You are pitted against up to nine other people, all of whom are trying to outwit each other. It is an arena where one must find the perfect balance between both instinct and logic to be successful, and is a game that can bring out the greatest highs and lows in emotion.

It is because of this fact that poker can qualify not only as a pastime, but it is also a source of great knowledge

Don’t believe us? Here is a partial list of the things that poker can teach you. You would be surprised at just how many things a simple game can teach you!

[](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) Merely a game? Think again.

Negotiating Skills

Playing poker will help you learn the excellent “Art of Negotiation”. It all equates to being able to raise, call, or fold.

Confused? It boils down to this:

Negotiating basically falls down to being able to say “forget it” when there’s no point in continuing the conversation (Folding), being agreeable when terms benefit both parties (Calling), and attacking when you think you have a distinct advantage over your opponent or business partners (Raising).

Most importantly, becoming a great poker player will also give you the heart to bluff in real life. You will learn how to put on a strong front at the most crucial of times, and will be better off for it!

“Poker can teach you to become ruthless,” says Irvine, an avid poker player. “It is not a game for the weak-minded, and people that tend to be great businessmen and negotiators also often make out to be excellent poker players. This isn’t a coincidence.”

How to Believe in Your Instincts

Another great life lesson that can be learned by playing poker is how to trust your instincts. Everything and everyone in the world could be telling you that you’re about to make the right call or fold, but only the rare few can dig deep down inside and trust their instincts enough to make the right choice.

A poker example would be Stu Ungar’s amazing call with ten-high at a time when 90% of players would have given up. He married his instincts with his logic, and was able to make one of the greatest bluff calls in history!

[](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) You’ll be able to know what to do when the chips are down.

Great Social Skills

[Poker](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) can also teach anyone great social skills, and a big part of the reason is that you run into all sorts of characters at any given moment while playing poker. By getting to know them in and out at the tables, you will develop a real feel for how to deal with people with certain personality types, and how to take advantage of them when necessary. With enough practice, you may even be able to pick up on peoples’ true motives by understanding what makes them tick.

Discipline and Self Control

However, the biggest area in which poker can help with is in personal discipline. The game of poker will teach you how to keep your emotions in check, even during the most extreme scenarios. Not only that, it will also teach you discipline and help ensure that you always take the time to think about a situation instead of quickly reacting.

This is a skill that will prove valuable for your entire life, because you will always be tested by people, places, and situations. Not allowing yourself to make rash decisions will save you a lot of grief over time, and being able to take a measured approach to tough situations will likely help you not only personally, but financially.

As you can see, poker’s got a LOT more to offer than simple entertainment. It is a game that can help you improve many important aspects of your life, especially when it comes to your personal skills, your emotional control, and discipline. Poker is one of those rare games that can teach you valuable lessons, and this is why so many people fall in love with it after their very first game.

Looking to improve your poker skills? Play [MatchMove Games Poker](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) now and become the king or queen of the tables!

Carlo R. Coloma

Carlo is the Community and Publicity Manager at MatchMove Games.