Poker is a game that puts your analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. In addition, it indirectly teaches you many life lessons that will benefit you in other areas of your life.

For starters, it teaches you how to handle failure. A good poker player will take a loss in stride and not go into a meltdown or blame it on someone else. This ability to remain composed in the face of defeat will translate into other areas of your life.

Another lesson that poker teaches you is how to read other players. By paying attention to body language you can pick up tells, or signs that your opponent is nervous, bluffing, or happy with their hand. You can then adjust your strategy on the fly. This skill will come in handy in other aspects of your life, from selling to presenting to leading a group.

Poker also teaches you how to calculate probability. There are a lot of math calculations that you have to make in poker, including implied odds and pot odds. These type of quick calculations help you decide whether to call, raise or fold. They are also an exercise for your brain, which builds and strengthens neural pathways. These pathways are covered in myelin, which protects and speeds up the processing of information. This means that the more you play poker, the more efficient your mind will become.