How to Make a Living Playing Poker

Poker is often described as a game of chance and skill, but it has a lot to offer those who play it. It teaches you to think on your feet, read other players and assess the odds of certain hands. It is also an excellent way to build confidence and improve your social skills. In addition, the skills learned in poker can be applied to life outside of the table.

When people find out that you make a living playing poker, they either stare at you in shock or demand to know all your secrets. Regardless of the reaction, it is clear that a career in poker requires a high level of discipline and self-control. It can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you and play the hand that feels good at the time, but a professional poker player is able to stick to their strategy even when it is boring or frustrating.

A major part of poker is evaluating the situation and other players’ body language. This can be a huge advantage over the competition, as it enables you to assess the strength of other players’ hands and make a decision about how much to call or raise with your own. It is a skill that can be applied to almost any situation, from negotiating a business deal to giving a public speech. It is also important to be able to handle failure, and poker players are able to take their losses in stride and learn from them.