Poker is a card game that involves betting chips, and players can win or lose them. It has many variations, but the basic rules usually remain the same. Each player places an amount of money (representing a bet) into the pot before being dealt cards, which they keep hidden from their opponents. This amount is called the ante or blind. Each player then takes turns betting on their hand, either by calling or raising, depending on the specific game and its rules.

Poker teaches you how to make decisions under uncertainty, which is an important skill in life and business. You’ll have to decide when to risk it all for a big win and when to walk away from the table with less than you started with. You’ll also learn how to read other players and watch for their tells, which can include anything from nervous habits like fiddling with their chips to idiosyncratic body language and betting behavior.

You’ll also learn how to focus and concentrate, which is an important facet of any poker game, but it can be particularly helpful in business. And you’ll learn to be patient — because no matter how good you are, there will always be times when you lose. That discipline can be beneficial in all aspects of your life, from personal finance to running a business.