Poker is a game that puts your analytical and mathematical skills to the test. It is also a game that indirectly teaches you a lot of life lessons. Here are a few of the major ones:
The first lesson that poker teaches you is how to make decisions under uncertainty. When playing poker, or anything for that matter, there will always be some degree of uncertainty, but the key to making the best decision is estimating probabilities and taking into account the actions of other players and the cards on the table.
Another skill that poker teaches you is how to control your emotions. This is an extremely important skill, not just for poker but in all aspects of life. A good poker player will never chase a bad hand or throw a tantrum, instead they will simply fold, learn from the mistake and move on. This ability to remain calm and control your emotions under pressure is an excellent transferable skill that will help you in many areas of your life.
Another important lesson that poker teaches you is how to read other players. Whether it is their eye movements, idiosyncrasies or betting behavior, poker players can learn a great deal about how other people play by studying other players. A player who bets big on early streets with a strong hand may be trying to discourage other players from calling, so you can take advantage of this by raising.