Are drivers better poker players? On focus, risk and strategy

Of course, playing Poker is a skill and really not for everyone. A poker face is incredibly important. Professional poker players especially possess a lot of talent for this game. But a question that goes around regularly is whether racing drivers are also excellent poker players? Considering many characteristics are similar. Do they possess the same talent as Poker players or is it better to keep racing in the car?

So far, there are no famous Poker players among the drivers

Most racing drivers are primarily concerned with their sport and becoming the best at it. They don’t exactly visit the best online casinos to gamble. This means that we can’t really name any ex-racing drivers who are really good at Poker. Possibly this is also not really where their interest lies as they are mainly concerned with motor sports. But of course this does not mean that drivers cannot use their talents in Poker. In fact, we see a number of similarities between motorsports and a game of Poker.

Motorsport requires tremendous focus

We don’t often dwell on it, but it is incredibly difficult to maximize performance every lap. If you continuously drive the same lap in the lead, your focus can disappear. As a result, you can make a small mistake with all its consequences. We have even seen this happen to Lando Norris while he was well ahead. Just for a moment he loses focus and makes a small mistake that can be mercilessly punished. The best drivers have enormous focus. You need the same focus for Poker. You must constantly analyze the game and make the right choices. You have to be there in time to put down the right cards or make the right combination. Or to read the opponent and punish him with a mistake he makes.

Poker players often take enormous risks

The only thing certain in Poker is the cards in front of you. You have no idea what the opponent is going to do. This is why a Poker face is important in the sport. Still, you will have to take the risk that your hand is enough to win. Despite the fact that you lack important knowledge. You sometimes have to take a lot of risk by increasing your bet each time without the idea that you are going to walk away a winner. Thus, most Poker players take a huge amount of risk by raising their bet each time they play in the casino. Risk-taking is, of course, an excellent fit for racing drivers. They also take quite a bit of risk to set the fastest time to cross the finish line first. They like a little risk and this suits a Poker player.

Strategy can really be the deciding factor in Poker

A lot of the races are really won on strategy. Making just the right call on a pit stop can win you the race. Drivers usually don’t determine a strategy on their own. There is a team behind them trying to make the right choices. But there are some drivers who are really good at coming up with a strategy. They can read the game tremendously well. This, of course, is perfect if you like playing Poker. So you have to be able to read the game very well and make the right strategy.

In short, is a driver also an excellent Poker player?

Ultimately, despite its similarities, Poker will not be for every driver. By the way, Lewis Hamilton is one driver who does indicate that he does enjoy a game of Poker. But ultimately it will not suit every driver. Poker remains a unique sport and therefore only a select few are among the best in the world. We also see this with Formula 1 drivers.