Poker is a game of high-stakes emotions — stress, anger and anxiety are common feelings that surface when playing. However, successful players are able to keep those emotions in check, even when the game isn’t going their way. This skill will benefit people in their personal and professional lives as they will be better equipped to handle adversity and setbacks.

Poker also teaches players to manage risk. While the game involves some luck, it is a skill-based game and good players are able to maximize their chances of winning by betting strategically on the basis of probability, psychology and game theory.

Furthermore, a player’s ability to control his or her emotions at the table is another key learning point. In life, there are times when an unfiltered expression of emotion may be warranted, but a skilled poker player will avoid these moments and only bet when it makes sense.

In addition, poker players must learn to read their opponents and watch for tells — these are small clues that reveal an opponent’s hand. For example, if a player fiddles with his or her chips it is likely that they have an unbeatable hand.

Finally, a player must be able to self-examine their play and identify weaknesses. This is often done through reading strategy books, but some players choose to discuss their decisions with winning players for a more objective look at their play. Regardless of how a player improves his or her poker skills, they must be willing to stick with it and never stop learning.