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Posted by on November 28, 2020

There is no contest against the idea of gambling being associated with things like crime, financial loss, addictions, etc. There are also many religions that condom games of chance. However, this isn’t the full picture. Like most things found in human society, the cause of problems is not related to the tool or the idea but the environments and attitudes where the tools and ideas are employed. Games, where betting of money is involved, are no different and subject to the same principle. It is not a problem to gamble and enjoying a game of chance doesn’t make you doomed for loss, any more than playing chess makes you a master strategist.

Gambling addiction is a problem that arises when someone uses it as a form of dependence instead of just having a good time. The actual problems are underlying psychological issues that drive people into further despair, whatever tools they use or ideology they follow simply becomes the vehicle of their destruction. So today, we will do the more challenging thing and focus on the flip side of the argument. Today we focus on the health benefits that are associated with a gambling game of Poker.

Poker is a very popular game that developed in the USA during the 19th century and has only grown in influence through the televised matches of the World Series of Poker in the 1970s and then via all the online free games available over the internet e.g  pokerace99 etc. People play poker for different reasons. For some, it’s the thrill of holding a winning hand, for others it’s the sharpening of their skills and for most it’s just a good way to spend time with friends, playing a friendly game. So let’s look at the health benefits of playing poker:

  • Keeps the mind active 

While the chance is an element in the game, it is mainly a matter of skills, improving the chances of winning requires dedication and practice just as it would for any other game. Poker is a game of mental cognition that requires players to use their memory and predict the hands or moves of their opponents to win. While not as strictly related to strategy as chess, it still requires using ample cognitive ability to be present at the moment and pay attention to the moves of all other players at the table.

  • Social Networking

Any game that involves playing with multiple players is always an opportunity to engage in social networking, this goes double when it’s a popular and often played game like poker. It’s a great way to break the ice when meeting new people or engage guests when you invite them for a good time. It’s also just a fun way to kill time. For many people that experience social anxiety playing a social game like poker might be a good way to practice improvements in lifestyle.

  • Handling stress

Playing poker seriously is a really good way to practice improving your ability to handle stress. In life and business, we often face stressful situations and our choices are to either: Solve the problem, walk away, or keep observing for an opportunity. These are the same options available to players in a poker game. How you play could be indicative of how you deal with stressful situations. And reading your opponents by their behavior is very much part of playing poker.

  • Sportsmanship

Good sportsmanship is of the hallmarks of having good social skills and by extension civilization. Losing an intense game like poker can be tough to handle but learning to accept your loss and the winning of someone else is only good for you in the long run. What’s even more challenging is winning with grace. Nobody likes to lose but not everyone can win without making everyone feel comfortable and appreciated for playing. Playing poker is an excellent way to practice both – graciously winning and losing. 

Conclusion

Things aren’t black and white with gambling or poker. While there are bad examples we can all learn from, it is important to not fall into agitprop ideas, bent on demonizing, which can be a useful experience for personal growth. Poker has survived all these decades because it has something to offer the world and being good at it is an example of quick wit and an active mind, it also provides many social benefits that are actually good for one’s health and playing poker with a dedication to basic social rules can only improve one’s experience of the game and well-being.

 

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