Poker is a game that puts your analytical, mathematical and interpersonal skills to the test. It is also a game that indirectly teaches many life lessons.
Managing risk
The first lesson poker teaches you is the importance of risk management. The game teaches you to never gamble more than you can afford to lose and to know when to quit. This is a lesson that will serve you well in all areas of your life.
Understanding odds
Probably the most important skill that poker teaches is an understanding of odds. Poker is a game of probability and bluffing, and odds are the foundation of both. Understanding how to calculate odds will help you make better decisions in the game and will also make you a more profitable player over the long run.
Reading other players
When you play poker, you will learn to read your opponents like a book. You will notice their body language, idiosyncrasies and betting habits. By learning how to read your opponents, you will be able to figure out when they are holding a good hand and when they are trying to bluff.
Position is important in poker because it gives you a lot of bluffing equity. You will be able to call bets much easier when you are in late position than you can in early position. You will also be able to make accurate value bets when you are in late position because you will have a better idea of how your opponents are holding their cards.