What can poker teach athletes? Discover 5 poker lessons that improve teamwork in football, netball, and beyond.
At first, poker and team sports look very different.
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Poker is a quiet card game.
Football and netball are fast and full of movement.
But if you look closer, you will see some common points.
Poker can teach useful things that help during a match.
It is especially helpful for teamwork.
This article explains how poker can help someone become a better team player in football, netball, or other sports.
Is Teamwork in Poker Real?
Many people think poker is only for individuals.
You sit alone and play for yourself.
If you win, it’s your success.
But teamwork also appears in poker.
Top players often train together.
They discuss games, share ideas, and help each other understand opponents better.
This teamwork happens before the match, not during.
You’ll also see this in team poker tournaments, where players compete as a unit.
It’s not just about your own moves.
It’s about how well you support and understand your teammates.
So if you’re learning how to play poker in Australia, keep in mind that teamwork still matters.
The same goes for sports like football.
A team only works when every player looks out for themselves and for the group.
5 Poker Lessons That Help in Team Sports
Person holding king of spade playing card.
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Poker can teach useful things for team sports.
These are the five main lessons:
How to Read the Opponent. Poker is not only about the cards. Players watch how others behave. They look at small details like movements, voice, and face. In sports, this also helps. A player who can guess the next move of the opponent gets an advantage. Poker helps to train this skill. You stop reacting and start seeing what is really going on.
How to Know Your Role and Make Fast Decisions. Poker players use different styles. One attacks. Another waits. Someone else sets traps. Each style can work when the player understands their role. The same rule works in team sports. One player leads. Another fixes mistakes. Someone works quietly and helps others. A team works well when everyone knows their job.
How to Think Ahead and Change Plans. There is no perfect strategy in poker. Players often change how they play. You must notice that and respond. Sports teams do the same. If the other team changes its game, your team must change too. The quicker you do it, the better. Poker helps you learn this. It teaches you to stay open and not follow one fixed idea.
How to Communicate Without Words. Poker players often notice small signs. A short pause, a look, or a hand move can say something. This helps in team sports too. A good team understands each other without speaking. Poker helps you notice these quiet signals.
How to Stay Calm and Focused. Poker has tough moments. A player can lose a strong hand or get tricked. Many lose control. In poker, this is called “tilt.” Emotions take over. This happens in sports as well. A missed goal, a mistake, or a bad referee decision can break focus. But you must stay calm. Poker teaches you to stop, breathe, and think clearly. That is very important for every player.
Putting Poker Principles into Practice
Knowing the theory is one thing.
Using it is another.
Here’s how to bring poker smarts into your team’s routine:
Practice Reading the Game. During training or when watching game footage, try to figure out what the opponent is planning. Look at their body language before a pass or shot. Like in poker, the “tells” are often there if you know where to look. This helps everyone—not just defenders. Forwards need to read the game, too, to break through and take chances.
Work on Emotional Control. Poker players train themselves to stay steady. Athletes can do the same. Breathing techniques, visualization, or taking a few quiet moments after a tough play—all of these help you reset. Like in poker, every new hand or play is a new shot at doing better.
Talk About Team Roles. Just like in poker, each team member needs to understand their place. It’s not just about scoring. It’s about setting up the play, defending, supporting. Talking about roles builds trust. It also cuts down on conflict. When you know what you bring to the team, you play with more confidence.
Poker Skills Beyond the Field
Poker doesn’t just help on the field.
It helps in everyday life:
Reading people is useful in work, relationships, and business.
Strategic thinking helps you set goals and reach them.
Emotional control is crucial when things get tough.
Learning from mistakes helps you grow in any area.
Final Thoughts
Poker isn’t just about cards, bets, and luck.
It’s a game that sharpens your mind, helps you understand others, and teaches you how to handle pressure and stay flexible.
Those are exactly the things every football or netball player needs.
So next time someone says poker is just a game, think back to this article.
And maybe give it a try—not to win big, but to learn something new.
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