There is some evidence that professional poker players tend to have higher than average IQs, though poker skill involves multiple factors beyond raw intelligence: A study of young poker players found their mean IQ was 112, compared to a norm mean of 100. Players identified as "experts" had a mean IQ around 120.
Poker acts like Pushups for our brain. It strengthens your brain and shields your nerve cells. Playing poker can help to rewire your brain and help to create myelin for a longer run. When we perform any activity consistently, it leads to the creation of new neural pathways.