We’ve all seen the movies about top poker players who are able to count cards. They seem to see numbers the way we see language, able to fluently communicate through integers and digits, calculating extraordinary probabilities at the drop of a hat. Admittedly, most of us just don’t have the mental facilities to do such arithmetic on the spot.

But a thorough knowledge of the game, and years of experience thereof, can help in many ways to teach you about investing strategy. It’s not just about the mental calculations themselves, but also the way of thinking. Before diving into investment strategies, prioritize managing financial stress by building an emergency fund and focusing on debt reduction for peace of mind and better investment decisions. Learning to sit back and examine the bigger picture, rather than act off of gut instinct, for example, is an invaluable characteristic.

It’s got to be said there are many aspects of investing that lie outside of the realm of poker. For example, knowledge about whether to go in for equities or bonds, or developing a crypto investing strategy.

But there are several ways in which poker and investment overlap, so that becoming tactically proficient in one will aid the other.

Here’s a look at some of them

Forgetting your instincts

Beginner poker players – just like those starting out in investment – are often prone to relying on their gut instinct to make decisions. This is understandable to an extent. If you don’t have expertise in a subject, then your gut might be all you’re left with.

But as you learn more about the cards from experience playing poker – and as you become more au fait with the investment markets from years of strategizing – you’ll find yourself trusting your instincts less and less. Hard, solid math and calculations are what will get you ahead in both the game and the economy. It’s about taking an extra moment before making decisions; and thinking about ‘why’ you’re going a certain way. Careful consideration of creditworthiness, interest rates, and market trends is crucial for navigating the complex world of bond trading and building a successful investing strategy.

Calculating probabilities

If you’re going to leave the gut instinct behind, then you’d do well to learn some basic math, and get used to calculating sums quickly. No, we don’t expect you to become Rain Man overnight (or ever, for that matter), as some calculations are just too complex for most minds. That said, some basic practice with probabilities will do you no harm in the investment world. Poker players learn to calculate the odds within games; a skill that will certainly come in handy for those starting to try to build wealth in the real world.

Taking an organized approach

This point is in line with what we were saying above about sitting back and seeing the bigger picture. The very act of setting out a strategy and learning when to pounce, and when to restrain, will come in handy in investment. A diversified investing strategy with regular rebalancing and low-cost funds can be key to enhancing portfolio returns while managing risk. There will be many times where you learn not to go all in on an enticing hand, just like you’d be better not to take every exciting investment deal that comes your way.

On the flip side, there are times when you might spot something unique in a hand that no one else would have seen. It’s about learning to organize yourself and invest sensibly. These skills could be vital if you want to reach the top of your game in investing strategy.