Poker is often seen as a game of chance, but it’s also a game of math and strategy. While luck plays a role, the better players are able to win more often than not over time. This makes poker a great game to play for fun and even make money. But there are other benefits to playing poker that many people don’t realise.

One of the most important skills to learn from poker is how to manage risk. While it’s true that you can lose a lot of money in poker, learning how to manage your bankroll will help keep your winnings high. This is a skill that you can transfer to other areas of your life, like investing or even just spending money in general.

Another way that poker helps you develop skills is by teaching you how to read other players at the table. When you’re playing poker, it’s vital to understand how your opponents are betting and how they might respond to certain actions. This will help you determine how much to bet and whether or not it’s worth calling.

The best way to improve your reading ability is by studying poker theory and practicing your skills. It’s also a good idea to watch poker videos and read poker books so you can see how the professionals do things. But don’t jump around too much and try to learn everything at once. Too many poker players study a different topic every day and fail to truly grasp any one concept. For example, they’ll watch a cbet video on Monday, then read a 3bet article on Tuesday and then listen to a podcast about tilt management on Wednesday. Focus on one thing per week and you’ll find it easier to pick up the language of the game.

Finally, poker can also teach you how to deal with failure. It’s essential to learn how to deal with defeat and to see it as a valuable part of the process of improving your game. For example, you might learn a lot about your opponents by losing a hand to them. But you should also look at your own failings and work on fixing them.

For example, if you’re dealt a pair of kings off the deal but then call a bet with a weaker holding on the flop, it might be time to change your strategy. In addition, it’s important to understand the psychology of poker and how to read your opponents. By understanding these elements, you’ll be a better player overall. This is a key reason why many poker players seek out mentorships with professional players to learn more about the game. The Michael Jordan of poker, Erik Seidel, for example, mentored Konnikova and helped her level up her game exponentially. By applying this same approach to your own pursuit of poker excellence, you’ll be able to master the game faster. And, as a bonus, you’ll have a healthier relationship with failure and push yourself to continue improving.