For years poker has been commonly played as a hobby, and the recent surge in online poker sites has brought it to a much wider audience. But what many people don’t realise is that poker could benefit you in more ways than just the chance to win money, it could actually help to improve your career too. The skills and attributes needed to become a successful poker player, whether it’s in online poker rooms like Party Poker or the real thing, are not so different from those required to be successful in business.
Poker is a game that demands a good deal of skill, and the more time you spend playing the more success you will have. Someone who has never played before is far less likely to win, and most successful poker players frequently lost when they were learning. You could say the same thing about business - remaining confident and persevering despite suffering setbacks is a quality which is highly valued. The player who wins at poker is the one who keeps calm and in control, and doesn’t let on more than is absolutely necessary. The need to play your cards close to your chest may be familiar to any Everest Poker regular, but letting people see only what you want them to see is also an important sales tactic when dealing with rivals and competitors in the sometimes cutthroat business world.
Almost all highly successful poker players possess the ability to read other people like a book and work out what they are really thinking. This almost uncanny technique is invaluable when dealing with customers, clients and rivals, not to mention the careful employment of the famous ‘poker face’ in discussions and meetings. Granted, you’re not going to get a high-flying business career on these skills alone, but once you have your foot in the door signing up to a poker site with a good rakeback deal could help you nurture the skills that will help you go far.
Sat, Jul 18, 2009
Careers Employment