Poker Life Lessons Applicable in Real Life Situations

Life is often a game of risks. One must assess situations, make informed decisions, and maintain consistency to cut it. In fact, nobody will teach you all these things as it’s all about learning from mistakes. But if you like playing offline or online poker, there’s are many poker life lessons to apply. So, to cut it short, here are some essential life skills to derive from playing poker.

Lesson #1. Patience pays

One thing is sure; most casino players are afraid of playing online casino poker. Instead, they are attracted to those deceptively shiny slot machines and roulette wheels. Beginners claim that poker is too challenging to master compared to luck games, where players just hit  “spin” and wait for the outcome.

To their defense, though, a specific set of skills is necessary to cut it in the tricky poker world. This is true whether playing at brick-and-mortar casinos or top online casinos. But if you’re patient enough to nature your skills, you’ll start winning more poker hands than spins at a slot machine. Note that it takes lots of time and practice to be a master poker player. The life lesson? Patience and dedication are essential in life.

Lesson #2. Discipline & focus

Unlike games of luck, poker players must be disciplined on the table and only focus on the action. Players must ensure that they play every hand optimally and keep track of every card when it is dealt. And because you have zero control over how the cards are issued, don’t waste mental energy over it.

The same applies to real-life situations. Life will deal you multiple challenges that you often can’t control. So, instead of playing blame games, focus on finding a way to wriggle out of the situation. For example, don’t sit around crying after losing your job. Get up and find another!

Lesson #3. Make bold decisions

You’ve probably come across those passive poker players who are afraid of making risky decisions. While it sometimes works, such players end up losing more than they win. Sure, their losses are not that big. But in the end, their bankroll will take a beating. 

In addition, bold poker players will typically trigger the $100K pot, which conservative players cannot. The life lesson here is that people who don’t take calculated and bold risks always lose. Remember the saying that fortune favors the brave? 

Lesson #4. Bluffing works but not always

Bluffing is a common term when playing poker at land-based casinos. It means camouflaging a weak hand to look strong and vice-versa. In return, other players on the table can feel intimidated by your moves and fold. But it doesn’t always work when playing against seasoned pros who can easily read your actions.

The same applies in life. Although some fake it till they make it, this will only harm them in the long run. You can go on impressing the whole world with a flamboyant lifestyle, but you’re suffering in silence. So, don’t display a fake character just for public relations. Your mum or partner will likely know you’re faking it!

Lesson #5. Bankroll management is critical

First, this point cuts across all gambling activities, including sports betting. In online poker, things often go south, and players lose a lot of funds. So, to effectively absorb the shocks of losing, creating a gambling budget is paramount. Divide it into smaller daily, weekly, or even monthly gambling units.

Similarly, life is all about managing finances. It’s possible to get carried away during payday and blow half your pay on impulse buying. Therefore, budget your funds and only purchase what you need. Don’t buy a sleek Ferrari with all your life savings when you know that hospital insurance and other bills haven’t been settled.

Lesson #6. Always learning

Learning is a continuous process in online casino poker. Even the most decorated players typically find themselves in sticky scenarios where they must figure out a quick solution. For example, a “fish” on the table can pull a fast one on those overrated pros, leaving them in shock.

Life is full of surprises, sometimes from the least expected source. But by now, you should know that the solution is never far away. It’s common for a teacher to learn a thing or four from their student. So, in conclusion, always be attentive and give a listening ear. 

Conclusion

Poker is definitely not your usual casino game. This is evidenced by John von Neumann, an American mathematician and computer scientist, who applied poker bluffing in politics, warfare, psychology, and other fields of study. 

But the good thing is that you don’t need a big budget and a library to apply these poker life lessons. Simply make more calculated moves, learn other people’s behaviors, and have a budget for everything. Overall, there’s more to poker than winning and losing.