Poker is a game that puts the analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills of its players to the test. It also pushes their mental and physical endurance to the limit. Poker, if played correctly, indirectly teaches valuable life lessons.
One of the most important things that you can learn from poker is self-control in high pressure situations. Poker forces you to be patient and think long-term rather than acting on emotion. This is a useful skill to have in all aspects of life, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks.
Learning to read the game is also a great benefit of playing poker. There are a number of ways to read a hand, including the basics like suit, rank and sequence, as well as more advanced analysis such as EV estimation and combos. This helps you to make better decisions at the table by considering a range of possibilities.
Position is a key aspect of poker, and being the last player to act gives you a lot more advantages. For example, you can see what your opponents do before making a decision, and you can inflate the pot size with strong value hands to maximise your profits. Or, if you have a mediocre or drawing hand, you can play it more passively to keep the pot size smaller and protect your chips.
A good way to learn these concepts is to take notes while you watch poker training videos or play at the tables. This will help you memorize the important formulas, internalize them and develop a natural intuition for them during your play.