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Poker is a game of skill and is enjoyed around the world. There are many people who play it for fun and there are others who use it to develop their skills and compete at major tournaments. Either way, playing the game has several mental benefits.

1. Improves Critical Thinking: When you play poker, your brain is constantly switched on, trying to figure out the next move. This can improve your critical thinking skills, which are essential for making important decisions in life.

2. Improves Observation: The ability to observe and analyze other players’ behavior can be one of the most crucial poker skills. It helps you understand what makes a great player and what doesn’t. You’ll learn to read their body language, idiosyncrasies, and betting habits.

3. Improves Patience: The ability to wait for the right moment to act is a key poker skill. Good poker players know when it’s time to fold and when they can take a shot at the pot. They have a strong work ethic and can adapt to changing situations quickly.

4. Develops Self-Control: Poker is a mentally challenging game, and it requires the player to be self-disciplined. This can be applied in all aspects of life and can help you make better decisions.

5. Improves Logic: Poker is a game of strategy, and it requires a high level of logic. It also takes discipline to think long-term and make sure you have a plan for your actions.

6. Develops a Strategy: A good player will always be developing their own poker strategy based on experience and tweaking it as they go along. This allows them to maximize their chances of success and increase the odds of winning.

7. Boosts Your Alertness: The brain needs to be alert when it comes to playing poker, so if you’re constantly practicing the game, your mind will be stimulated and able to pick up on things that would normally be overlooked.

8. Improves Stack Size: The number of chips that are available to bet or raise in a hand is an important factor in poker. Larger bet sizing will give you more chips to work with and allow you to call larger raises, while smaller bet sizing can make it easier to fold weaker hands.

9. Improves Your Decision Making: Poker is a strategy game, and it requires you to make decisions that will benefit you in the long term. You should use your logic rather than your emotions when making your decisions, and you should never lose sight of what’s best for your overall poker game.

10. Boosts Your Sense of Humor: Poker is a social game, and it’s important to have fun while you’re playing. Whether you’re playing as a hobby or professionally, you should be able to laugh at yourself when you have bad hands.

11. Become More Organized: The brain needs to be organized in order to play well, and poker is a great way to do this. Keeping track of your winnings and losses, as well as tracking your pot odds and percentages will give you more of an idea of how effective your strategies are and when to change them.