Is high IQ needed to succeed in poker?

[Heatman]

Poker is not just a game of high intelligence. It's a game that takes skills, discipline, strategy, and psychology for a player to succeed in playing from my knowledge of what the game is about.

Do you think a player just only need to have high IQ to be able to successful in playing poker?

 

[Shortie]

I wouldn't say that having a high IQ would affect anything would be a big advantage when it comes to poker, it may help a little but I feel the more you play poker, the more you learn in over time and that can help a great deal.

 

[TopSilver]

I don't think a high IQ makes too much of a difference but just as long as you don't have a low IQ. If you have a low IQ then that could make the difference where you wouldn't be able to win very many hands. People who stay to the river card but draw dead and just bet to see the cards usually don't last very long.

 

[Bawse]

Nah. You just need to be better than the players at your table or get lucky.

 

[Elseb]

IQ hasn't got much to do with Poker really, I've seen really intelligent people win and pretty average intelligence win.

 

[padrespatty]

Like anything hard work beats natural talent.

 

[Bawse]

Like anything hard work beats natural talent.

Work smarter not harder, just outplay your opponents. Don't focus on results, and when you start to make mistakes reevaluate and fix your leaks.
TAKE BREAKS. Rejuvenate the mind.

 

[Pally]

I don't know that you really do. As mentioned, you just got to be the best at the table. And, well, there's no getting around luck. That said, can't hurt to have some brains too.

With a game like blackjack, however, it pays to have a good memory and know how to crunch numbers fast in your head. But that is a whole 'nother, as they say. The question was about poker.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

No, it's not necessarily. This is because poker is a mix of skill, patience, and reading people. I have seen some sharp guys win without too much knowledge. Common sense and experience will surely take you far in the game. So you don't have to worry if you don't understand all the big tactics.

 

[Kins G]

I know that poker is a game of logic and having a high IQ would help with that. But beyond just high IQ, there is a big need for emotional intelligence and control to really advance in poker. I have seen very smart poker players that tilt very easily.

 

[Scorpion Girl]

Definitely not just IQ. I've seen really smart people lose consistently because they can't control their emotions or read other players. Poker's way more about emotional discipline, patience, and understanding human behavior than raw intelligence. You need to manage your bankroll, handle losing streaks without tilting, and pick up on subtle tells. Book smarts don't mean much if you can't apply strategy under pressure.