Bala Cynwyd billionaire Jeff Yass isn’t just a co-founder of the powerhouse trading firm Susquehanna International Group, writes Henry Mance and Charlotte Guckian for the Financial Times.
He’s also a lifelong poker enthusiast who sees the game as more than a pastime. At SIG’s Bala Cynwyd headquarters, new hires train on algorithms and markets – and then learn to play poker.
It’s not a gimmick. Yass believes poker teaches traders how to manage risk, read people, and remain steady under pressure. All these skills are vital in the fast-moving world of quantitative finance.
“Being a poker player and a trader is very similar,” said Yass.
The overlap between poker and high-stakes investing has long been observed, but Yass institutionalized it. He’s part of a growing group of business leaders who treat games of imperfect information, like poker, as a training ground and mirror for the business world.
While critics warn about the addictive nature of poker, proponents argue its real-world application outweighs the risk when it comes to building a resilient, analytical workforce.
For Yass, whose firm has become one of the most influential players in global markets, the bet appears to be paying off.
Read more about Jeff Yass and other industry leaders using different games to model their business in the Financial Times.
