Poker is a game that pushes your analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the limit. It is also a game that indirectly teaches life lessons and gives you valuable tools to carry with you outside of the poker table.

For one, you learn how to keep a secret. Professional players know how to hide their tells, the unconscious physical signs they give as to the strength of their hand. These tells can be anything from facial or body tics, to nervous habits like biting your nails or rubbing your eyes. These are often the result of stress and can be difficult to control. That’s why many professional players wear sunglasses or hats, to hide their tells from the other players at the table.

Another skill you’ll learn is calculating the frequencies of different hands. This is an extremely useful skill to have in poker, as it helps you make better decisions. You can calculate the frequency of a straight, three of a kind or flush by looking at how many cards are in your hand, and how many are of each rank.

You’ll also learn how to manage your risk. As with any game of chance, there’s always a risk that you could lose money. This is why it’s important to never bet more than you can afford to lose and to know when to quit. This is a great lesson that can be applied to many areas of your life.