Hi lovelies,

Card games may seem like nothing more than a fun way to pass the time. But they can have many other benefits. From testing out memory to improving pattern recognition, card games can help us develop all kinds of skills. There are also several social benefits to playing card games. This post delves more into some of the top reasons to play cards more regularly. 

Test your memory
Many card games require you to have a good memory. Being able to remember the cards that have already been played can help you to strategize better and take more calculated risks. 

Some games are more reliant on a good memory than others. The game pairs (sometimes known as ‘memory’) involves placing cards face down on a table. Each turn two cards are flipped by each player. If the cards are a pair, the player wins them . If they are not a pair, they are placed back face down. Only by remembering each card that has been flipped can you successfully find pairs. 

Build patience
Many card games require you to plan ahead and be patient. If you act impulsively, you typically won’t win. A key example is rummy, which requires you to plan ahead potential sets and sequences that you aim to obtain and lay down. 

Solitaire is sometimes viewed as the ultimate game of patience (and is sometimes referred to as ‘patience’). This game is all about planning ahead to win and not always playing the most attractive move straight away. There are several different variants of solitaire that are each a test of patience. Playing this game regularly could potentially teach you to be more patient and less impulsive in everyday life. 

Sharpen your hand-eye coordination
Playing cards may also help to sharpen your hand-eye coordination. Skills like shuffling are particularly reliant on good hand-eye coordination, as is being able to quickly sort your hand. Having good hand-eye coordination can be useful for many tasks in life from driving to sorting through change.

Fast-paced games like snap test hand-eye coordination the most as they require you to quickly look and react. Other games like trumps, hearts and karma can similarly demand fast reactions and good hand-eye coordination.

Improve pattern recognition
Many card games revolve around forming patterns of cards such as pairs or sequences. Being able to spot patterns fast can be key to winning these games. Training yourself to spot patterns fast may also help to improve pattern recognition in everyday life, which can help with everything from quickly comparing prices to identifying parts when crafting things. 

Rummy is a game that is particularly reliant on forming patterns of cards. Players must get rid of all the cards in their hand by building sets or sequences of three or more cards. Try playing this game if you want to boost your pattern recognition skills.

Practise mental maths
Some card games require a degree of mental maths. Games that are scored such as Hearts are won by being able to quickly count up the value of cards. Such maths skills can be valuable in many areas of everyday life from splitting bills to calculating measurements.

Which card game is best for testing one’s mental maths? 21 or blackjack is probably the most famous example. In this game, you are dealt two cards. The aim is to get a score as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. You can stick with the two cards you are dealt or ask to be dealt extra cards - but drawing extra cards increases the risk of going over 21. This game is often combined with betting, which can add an extra layer of mental maths. 

Learn to read people
In card games where bluffing is allowed, being able to read people is a valuable skill. Many card games like Cheat and Poker can help you develop this. This ability to read people could come in use in many situations in everyday life where you may need to quickly judge someone.

Poker is the most famous bluffing card game. In the most commonly played Texas Hold Em version of this game, everyone is dealt two cards and three community cards. You then place bets based on what cards you’ve got and what you think others may have. You’re likely to bet more if you’ve got good cards, but you can also bluff in order to scare others out of betting. In this game, it can become essential to know when someone else is bluffing so that you’re not put off betting more on a good hand. 

Bond with family/friends
Playing cards is a great way to bond with family and friends. It can keep everyone away from screens and encourage people to physically interact. Card games are particularly popular on family holidays for this reason.

Rummy, Go Fish and Spades are just a few games that are great for playing with family and friends. Learning new games together can be particularly fun - you can then all learn to play it together and start on an even playing field.

Break the ice
Card games are also great to play with people you don’t know well. They can serve as a social icebreaker, allowing you to socially interact with a goal. This is why card games are common at parties.

Many card games can serve as icebreakers, but ideally you want to choose fairly easy games that people may already know or can easily pick up. Rummy, Go Fish and Snap are good examples.

Occupy time alone
Some card games can also be played solo, such as solitaire. There are also several card games that you can play online against strangers or against a computer. This is ideal if you want to play a multi-player card game but currently don’t have anyone to play with in person. 

By exploring solitaire and online card games, you play cards practically anywhere from on the train to on your break at work. It could even be a great way to practise card games so that you’re better when competing against players in person. 

Keep your mind healthy
There is evidence to suggest that regularly playing card games may reduce the risk of dementia. This is due to the cognitive stimulation that they provide. Games like chess and puzzles can similarly provide these benefits and are worth playing as you get older to keep your mind sharp.

The more complex the card game, typically the better it is for the brain. Bridge is typically known to be the most difficult card game to master and could be a game worth learning if you really want to open up those neural pathways. That said, many other games like poker and rummy will still have mental benefits. 

When not to play cards…
Many card games can be combined with betting. While you could argue that the option of winning money by playing cards is another benefit, there is also the risk of losing money once you start betting. Therefore, you should be cautious about card games that require betting money. Many card games do not require any gambling, and those that do can be played with chips or other non-monetary tokens. If you find yourself attracted to card games that require betting money and often end up betting more than you can reasonably afford to lose, it could be better to steer clear of card games - as they may just end up being a trigger for a bad gambling habit.