According to the World Poker Tour, there are over 100 million regular poker players in the world today. Since online poker has become mainstream, more people than ever before have been trying their hand at the game. Some even go on to become professional players, making millions in the process.
Not only is poker beneficial to players, it’s also a significant revenue stream for countries across the globe. Top casino countries in the world include the United States with $113.65 billion total in winnings each year, shortly followed by Macau, China, with $80.91 billion and Japan with $47.27 billion in winnings.
While poker is played by most for enjoyment, there are also significant benefits to playing online poker. While you may think pokers all about mastering that perfect poker face, there’s a lot more to it than that. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits playing online poker can bring.
1. The opportunity to learn how to play a new game
One of the great things about online casinos is that they give players who otherwise wouldn’t have had the confidence to go into a casino to try playing poker. While approaching a table of regular players could be really daunting, playing in the comfort of your own home behind closed doors can take off some of the pressure.
What’s more, when playing online, there are an abundance of resources available to help new players understand basic poker rules. There’s even poker software available that can build up analytical data and give an insight into the players progress and weak areas where they need to practice more.
2. Improve your ability to study
For those who are not used to studying for long periods of time, it can be challenging to learn a new and complex skill. Poker is a great way of introducing healthy study habits as it’s a game that players will have a genuine interest in and enjoy learning about, yet it takes a lot of dedication and discipline if the new player wants to succeed.
What’s more, there’s a huge incentive to study poker; players that do go on to be very successful could earn winnings into the millions. This incentive provides a strong motive for players to put in the hours of practice required, no matter how tedious it gets.
3. Learn patience
One thing that frequent poker players will know is that it takes a lot of patience to get good at poker. While online poker is faster than the games that are played in casinos, it’s still a slow game that takes a lot of focus. Often a player will spend hours trying out a new strategy, only for it to fail and their bankroll to be reduced to nothing.
However, players who invest time and energy into practicing and watching other more experienced players will be greatly rewarded.
4. Learn to be inclusive
While diversity and equality are an integral part of many cultures now, it can sometimes still feel easy to feel left out. There are many sports where people experience barriers to participate because of a physical disability, yet poker is a game that almost anyone can get involved in.
Now that poker is abundantly available online, it can also be accessed by many far-reaching parts of the world where people couldn’t visit a casino. Some of the most well-known players come from humble beginnings.
5. Learn money management skills
Poker is a great way for older teens and young people to learn money management skills. While gambling sometimes comes with negative connotations, there are now controlled and regulated environments where players can learn to deposit money responsibly and practice building up their bankroll.
While there will inevitable be some losses, the game is all about strategy and players who apply a responsible strategy will excel in the game. These skills are also greatly transferable and will help players to manage their finances in all other aspects of life.
6. Develop emotional intelligence
Want to learn how to read someone’s poker face? Studying your opponent’s body language, facial expressions and tone of voice will help to build up a higher-than-average emotional intelligence.
In today’s job market, soft skills like having emotional intelligence are one of the most valuable traits a candidate can have and will help that person to excel in their career. Not only that, but high emotional intelligence can also be significantly beneficial for dealing with situations in your own personal life.
7. Teaches players how to lose
Were you one of those children that used to flip the monopoly board when you were losing? Well, if you’re going to be a great poker player then that will have to change. It doesn’t matter how great you are at poker, it’s almost inevitable that you will lose at some point, perhaps even frequently as you’re learning how to play.
Poker involves deceit in the form of bluffing, which at first, may offend or irritate a new player. However, as players become more familiar with the rules of the game, they will be able to lose in a gracious manner and take it as a learning point for further improving their strategy.
9. Develop Impulse control
In today’s digital world, it can be so easy to act impulsively and get carried away. From ordering take out at the touch of a button, to online shopping and movie rentals from your sofa, there are so many choices that the modern consumer is used to spoiling themselves.
However, being impulsive in poker could teach a player an unfavorable lesson. Players who make impulsive decisions will quickly find that they don’t pay off and will spend a lot of time needing to build their bankroll back up.
Overall, while poker is primarily a game of leisure and enjoyment, there are also a significant number of skills that the game teaches whether you intend to become a professional player or not.