Some gamble to win and make money, and some purely for fun. There is, however, an alternative benefit to gambling that most people wouldn’t usually consider. Getting smarter.
Being “smart” is not just about intelligence, but also about critical thinking and decision-making, both of which can be gained as skills. Furthermore, “intelligence” itself is not necessarily fixed, but is rather an aspect of the human mind that can be developed. It can be strengthened, nurtured, and ultimately increased, through various exercises and practices.
Here are six of the most common ways that gambling can provide some of those exercises and practices, and potentially make you smarter in the process.
Advanced Concepts And Mathematics
Being good with numbers isn’t always an absolute necessity for gambling, nor the single defining measure of intelligence, but it is most certainly a huge benefit. Gambling is full of advanced mathematical and logical concepts. Learning and utilising these concepts can be an excellent way to train the mind to greater levels of technical and mathematical understanding, critical thinking, and strategy.
Mental Discipline
Great discipline is one of the noted hallmarks of many successful people, and that very much includes professional gamblers. Practising and exercising mental discipline enables one to dependably make more intelligent and informed decisions and insights. It can also has an especially positive effect on one’s confidence and frame of mind. Gambling happens to provide an ideal environment in which to practise this winning trait.
Financial Management
Money management and budget training involves many practical skills and methods. It is also an essential part of successful gambling, which, with discipline, provides the opportunity and environment to practise smarter and more intelligent use of money.
Strategic Thinking And Risk-taking
To be a good gambler, one has to learn, and regularly utilise, strategic and critical decision-making. One also has to regularly take a certain measure of risk, and learn how to manage it effectively. The advantages of mastering such things can extend to every aspect of one’s personal, financial, and broader life in a very positive way.
Reading People
This applies mainly to opponent-based gambling, such as poker, which provides a great opportunity and environment to learn to “read” and assess people, and their different personality types, strategies, and motives. This has a number of benefits in all aspects of life that involve other people, ranging from relationships and social life, to business.
Self Knowledge
Last, but not least, an important and notable benefit of gambling can be in attaining a generally greater and more in-depth knowledge of oneself. This could be in terms of learning personal limits, discovering one’s goals and aspirations, sense of confidence, and also motivation and drive towards success.
The Conclusion
None of what is mentioned here is automatic or without cost. Like most worth-while things in life, learning to be smarter requires hard work and dedication. Simply gambling will not necessarily bring about any of it, but doing it smartly and responsibly will. In a nutshell, gambling smart, makes you smart. A win-win scenario.
