Poker is a game of chance, but it also requires a fair amount of skill and psychology. And if you play the game regularly, it can have positive benefits on your mental health and overall cognitive function.

First of all, it helps you understand the basic principles of probability, which can improve your overall strategy and decision-making abilities. It also develops your discipline and concentration, and it teaches you how to deal with stress in a controlled environment. And because you spend so much time in close proximity with other people, it can help improve your social skills.

Lastly, poker can help you develop strategic thinking skills, which will serve you well in your career and personal life. Plus, the game can increase your resilience, as you’ll learn to cope with bad beats and other stressful situations. You can see this in action if you watch videos of Phil Ivey playing, for example; he never gets upset about a bad beat, and it’s no surprise that he’s one of the world’s best players.

While luck will always play a role in poker, you can control the amount of skill that outweighs it in the long run by practicing the right strategies, managing your bankroll, and studying bet sizes and position. And over time, your understanding of these concepts will become ingrained, so you’ll have an intuitive grasp on things like frequencies and EV estimation. It’s these little things that can make all the difference when you play your A-game against your friends.