In poker, players need to consider the strength of their hand, the size of the pot, and the cards that their opponents might have. In addition to decision-making, both poker and MMA involve a considerable amount of strategy. Whether fighting for a UFC title belt or sitting at the final table of the World Series of Poker, the pressure is on to make split-second decisions that can have a significant impact on the outcome of the night. In MMA, you have to decide when to strike, when to go for the takedown, and when to defend. In poker, you have to decide when to bet, when to fold, and when to bluff.
Both disciplines involve a high degree of strategic thinking, psychological gamesmanship, and the ability to read and react to an opponent’s actions.Īt their core, poker and MMA are games of decision-making. Poker and combat sports like MMA might seem like vastly different activities, but they share quite a lot in common.