Beneath the surface, poker is an incredibly complex game. It takes a lifetime to master, and there is always something new to learn about. So to truly get good at poker will take some time, effort, and perseverance. Fortunately, in today's age it's easier than ever to learn new skills, poker included.

Players identified as "experts" had a mean IQ around 120. Top players demonstrate strong numerical reasoning, pattern recognition, risk assessment, and deductive skills indicative of high intelligence. However, poker strategy also requires personal qualities like discipline, emotional regulation, and social intuition.