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Poker is more than just a game of chance, luck and psychology. It’s also a powerful cognitive exercise that can improve your decision-making skills in other areas of life. Here are just 20 of the ways that playing poker can improve your brain:

1. Poker teaches you how to bet on uncertainty

Gambling is a risky business, and learning how to bet properly in poker is an important lesson for the rest of life. Good players will never bet more than they can afford to lose, and they know when to fold when their chances of winning are slim. This is a crucial skill that can help you avoid many financial catastrophes.

2. Poker teaches you how to read your opponents

Reading the other players at a poker table is key for success. The most advanced players are able to put their opponent on a range of hands they could be holding. They are then able to make the correct decision most of the time. This is a crucial skill that can be applied to all sorts of situations in life, from buying stocks to picking out a new hairstyle.

3. Poker teaches you how to handle failure

The best poker players are able to take their losses with grace and learn from them. This is a vital skill that can be applied to all aspects of life, from losing at the casino to being turned down for a job interview. Being able to accept defeat and learn from it will make you a much more successful person in life than those who try to hide their losses with tantrums.