Parece que a tripulação gosta principalmente dos elementos táticos do jogo, especialmente blefe, contra-ataque e confronto.
Riker usa o jogo para aprimorar suas habilidades de negociação.
PICARD: Well, I'm the designated host. It would be a most awkward transition. You're the next likely choice. And Mister Mendoza will certainly agree. He's quite impressed by your natural instincts.
RIKER: Excuse me, sir, but those weren't natural instincts. Those were poker instincts. A card game doesn't exactly prepare me for this.
PICARD: Yes, the stakes are higher. But then, isn't that when the game gets interesting, Commander?
Riker usa o jogo para interagir com (e avaliar) seus oficiais subalternos.
SHELBY: I've only got two pair, Commander. But I've got to see that blind card. I'll call.
[She puts in her chips. Riker blinks... looks down at his card... turns it over. It busts his straight flush. He's bluffing. Reactions. Wesley groans, hangs his head.]
GEORDI: (delighted) You got him!
[Riker and Shelby's eyes meet. She collects the winnings.]
Os dados, em particular, ganham muito com o jogo, aprendendo sobre como os humanos interagem em situações sociais
DATA: When I play poker with my shipmates, it often appears to be a useful forum for exploring the different facets of humanity. I was curious to see how three of history's greatest minds would interact in this setting. So far, it has proved most illuminating.
Além de ajudá-lo a avaliar aspectos da humanidade em relação a como os humanos calculam o risco e a exposição, o que, por sua vez, melhorou suas habilidades táticas
DATA: In the game of poker, there is a moment when a player must decide if an opponent is being deceptive or actually holds a winning hand. This decision is based not only on the odds, but also on an appraisal of the man. Is he bluffing or does he have the cards?
Curiosamente, em pelo menos uma ocasião, a capacidade de jogar poker é vantajosa quando a tripulação é enviada de volta no tempo com recursos limitados. As habilidades de jogos de dados permitem que ele ganhe dinheiro suficiente para construir um scanner de peças contemporâneas em TNG: Time's Arrow.