Whenever people hear about me using poker in virtual team events, I usually get one of
two reactions:
1.) That sounds 🍎 cool!
2.) What? Poker isn’t about teams. Why would I
ever take a seat at the virtual poker table with my 🍎 team?
This post is about achieving
some clarity and new perspectives, especially for group number 2 (though group 1 won’t
complain 🍎 either).
Now, playing poker in teams can indeed support team building in
several ways. When I talk about playing in teams, 🍎 I’m referring to the so-called
Team-Poker-Concept, where people don’t play by themselves BUT in groups of usually 2 or
3 🍎 people. This concept was a gift from Corona, as the pandemic forced me to either give
up using poker as 🍎 a team-building method or find a way to transfer the intense
experience in tho the virtual environment.
Here are 8 things 🍎 your team can win at the
poker table using the Team-Poker-Concept
Communication: Playing poker in small teams
requires players to communicate 🍎 effectively with each other. In team poker, players
need to share information, discuss strategies, and make decisions collectively. This
turns 🍎 the traditional approach of playing just by yourself upside down and as a result
fosters better communication skills within the 🍎 team, as members learn to express their
thoughts clearly and listen to others‘ perspectives. Otherwise, the chance of success
drops 🍎 significantly. Like in business! Trust and Collaboration: Trust is the most
valuable resource you have in your team. And it’s 🍎 crucial in team poker as well. Why?
Because players must rely on each other’s judgments and actions. Collaborative
decision-making becomes 🍎 essential, as team members need to work together to maximize
their chances of winning. Playing poker as a team encourages 🍎 trust-building activities
and helps team members understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. And believe
me: the common experience of winning 🍎 and losing (which is part of the game) will make
people bond quickly! Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Poker involves making
calculated 🍎 decisions under uncertain circumstances. Information is incomplete and
always comes with a price. Team members must analyze the available information, 🍎 assess
risks, and devise strategies collectively. Playing poker helps improve problem-solving
skills and decision-making abilities within the team, as members 🍎 learn to evaluate
options and consider different perspectives. And maybe most importantly: Poker teaches
you that there is no non-decision, 🍎 so you better decide yourself or the competition
will do it for you. Emotional Intelligence: Poker can evoke various emotions, 🍎 such as
excitement, frustration, and disappointment. In a virtual team event – the latter two
don’t play a big role. 🍎 Because we don’t play for money. We play for fun, for learning,
for team building. However, by playing poker together, 🍎 teams can develop emotional
intelligence by better understanding their emotions and what drives them. This includes
controlling impulses, maintaining composure, 🍎 and exhibiting empathy towards teammates
during both winning and losing situations. They sharpen their awareness towards their
attitude concerning winning, 🍎 losing, or deciding well. This offers personal insight
people can walk away with. Adaptability and Flexibility: Poker is a dynamic 🍎 game.
Everything can change with every new card dealt or action taken. Players must adapt to
changing circumstances. Team poker 🍎 can teach members to adjust their strategies based
on evolving situations, as well as how to adapt to the playing 🍎 styles and behaviors of
opponents. This helps develop a sense of flexibility within the team, enabling them to
navigate through 🍎 unpredictable situations effectively. Understanding and adjusting to
other people certainly is a great skill in the people-oriented game called “business”
🍎 as well. I bet! Goal-Oriented Approach: You can play poker with different goals –
especially in a team event setting. 🍎 It could be fun, learning, making smart choices, or
running a bluff against your boss (yep, happens and usually comes 🍎 with a lot of
laughter). Playing poker as a team allows members to align their efforts toward a
common objective. 🍎 This shared goal enhances team cohesion and motivates individuals to
work together toward achieving success. Analytical Thinking and Risk Assessment: 🍎 Poker
involves analyzing probabilities, calculating odds, and assessing risks. But most of
all: it requires you to understand the importance 🍎 of risk-taking (and feeling it’s
necessity if you want to win in any “game”). Team members can enhance their analytical
🍎 thinking skills and learn to make informed decisions by considering various factors.
This ability to evaluate risks and rewards can 🍎 be transferred to other collaborative
projects or tasks within the team. Enjoyment and Bonding: Playing poker in teams is
tons 🍎 of fun and enjoyable activity, creating a relaxed environment for team members to
interact outside work-related responsibilities. Engaging in enjoyable 🍎 activities
together fosters positive relationships, strengthens bonds, and improves team morale.
Can’t remember the last time you have done something 🍎 for the first time as a team? No?
Then poker offers you a wonderful option.
Final and personal note: Coming with 🍎 years of
experience as a former poker pro and working as a trainer/moderator these days, it’s
important to note that 🍎 team poker should be seen as a recreational activity. An
activity that promotes teamwork and social interactions. With that attitude 🍎 in mind,
poker – beyond all gambling clichés, turns into a fun means to an end that boosts team
spirit, 🍎 engagement, fun, and (if you want) also business skills. And this is not a
bluff. This is my promise!
If you 🍎 ever want to give it a try, let me know and one day
you, your team, and I might meet 🍎 at the fascinating playing and learning field called
„poker table“.
Till then, best wishes and play well,
Tino
