It is a good idea to play poker to improve your skills.I think that trading is a lot like gambling and the only difference is trading has better publicity compared to gambling.
While gambling is considered bad by most of the community trading is considered neutral.However you should be careful as both in gambling or trading you risk to become addicted.
For me playing poker is also can be one of reason to improve skills and about gambling & trading the two is have similarities because you can win and lose while playing gambling & trading..