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Is poker a stressful job?

Poker is stressful, but that's what makes the game great. To be a successful poker player you need to be able to step outside your comfort zone and get involved in uncomfortable situations. As Doyle Brunson says, “It takes courage to sit down at a poker table.” Everyone in the room is trying to take your money.

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Make Your Bookie Cry And Pull The Hair By Generating $23,187

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When I graduated college I had little work experience and “poker player” didn’t seem like something that would enhance my resume. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that many of the skills that have helped me in my professional career are skills I have developed by playing poker. Right now there are thousands of poker players battling on the green felt who may not realize that they’re developing a skillset valuable to the business world. Here are five essential career and life skills that I believe can be developed and strengthened by playing poker.

1. You'll Develop an Analytical Mindset

The difference between a winning poker player and a losing poker player comes down to the ability to make profitable decisions over time. In poker, there is a financial stake in every decision and this kind of financial pressure will force you to develop an analytical mindset. This kind of financial pressure is a force that will drive you to develop an analytical mindset. After losing a key hand you might ask yourself "how could I have played that differently?" You might then consider alternate decision paths you could have taken during each hand played, and the equities involved with each decision. This kind of decision tree analysis will lead you to one path (or sometimes multiple paths) of optimal decisions. The more poker you play, the more practice you will get with this kind of analysis. This way of thinking is a skill that will help you make optimal decisions in your career and personal life.

2. You'll Become Comfortable with Stress

Poker is stressful, but that’s what makes the game great. To be a successful poker player you need to be able to step outside your comfort zone and get involved in uncomfortable situations. As Doyle Brunson says, “It takes courage to sit down at a poker table.” Everyone in the room is trying to take your money. If you don’t stand your ground the blinds will eat you up. Over time you will be more comfortable making decisions under pressure. That level-headedness will benefit you when you encounter stressful situations in the real world.

3. You'll Become Comfortable with People

People are drawn to the table from all walks of life and everyone has one interest in common: poker. Also, a live poker table can be a very intimate experience. Everyone sits (sometimes very closely) facing each other like a group therapy session. When you play a hand people might stare at you as if they were trying to read your soul. Even if you’re an introvert, it’s easy to strike up a conversation with someone sitting next to you. It’s like being trapped in an elevator with someone, they can’t walk away if they want to see the next hand. It could even be a good networking opportunity.

4. You'll Learn to Control Negative Emotions

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Poker has a way of humbling you. Swings will happen and you have to stay in control of your emotions. Even the best players in the world go on losing streaks. It’s not easy to overcome negative emotions, but the best way to learn is with experience. A successful poker player is able to stay grounded during a downswing, take a step back, and look at long-term trend lines. Anyone can adopt this approach. When you feel down take a step back and think about all the positive things you have going for you. Maintaining a positive attitude is one of the most important things you can do in your career and personal life.

5. You'll Gain Confidence in Yourself

Confidence gained by self-reliance is a valuable skill that will help you throughout your professional and personal life. You might have a supportive network of family and friends, but at a poker table there’s only one person you can count on: yourself. You need to have confidence in your game and trust your strategy because you are responsible for the money you put at risk. There is a lot of luck in poker. You may lose money making a play that you believe to be profitable in the long run. If you consistently make good decisions the math will be on your side over time.

Final Thoughts

Not everyone who picks up poker will become a winning player. You will need to study and practice consistently to have an edge on your competition. I believe that anyone who puts in time and effort to improve their poker game will develop the skills outlined above- regardless of whether they become the next Phil Ivey. Most importantly, all these skills are essential to success in your career or other pursuits outside poker.

linkedin.com - 5 Career and Life Skills You Learn from Poker - LinkedIn

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