The Unexpected Benefits of Playing Card Games

A deck of cards is the Swiss army knife of traditional, physical gaming. It's light, compact, easy to carry and can help you out of almost any situation. It's fair to say that most people play card games for the entertainment value and fun they provide. However, there are also a number of hidden benefits associated with playing card games relating to your health, social life and general sense of wellbeing. With that in mind, we've compiled a quick list of the hidden benefits of card games in an attempt to lure people off their Xbox Ones and onto the big wooden table in their front room.

The Mental Health Aspect

There have been a number of studies in recent years surrounding card games and mental health. Back in 2014, the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted a study relating to card games and mental sharpness in the elderly. As this report by Alzheimer's Research UK explains, playing card games is linked to larger brain volume and a better memory in a testing group with an average age of 60. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that those engaging in the more mentally taxing card games such as poker and bridge are less likely to develop any form of dementia.

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Social Benefits

It's a generally accepted fact that social engagement is one of the most important factors when it comes to leading a healthy life. As referenced in this Guardian article, a recent study by Oxford Economics found that eating alone is the biggest single factor for unhappiness behind an existing mental illness. The use of HD cameras during live games and integration of chat boxes has meant that participants can interact during their favourite card games. No matter whether you choose to play online or in real life, card games have that necessary social element which can help you maintain your happiness.

Patience, Concentration and Discipline

Decision making is a big part of most card games and can be the difference between winning and losing a hand or the whole contest. Waiting for the right moment to strike takes patience and in a quiet setting, playing card games can certainly hone your skills surrounding discipline and patience. Games such as Texas Hold'em are so engrossing and immersive that intense concentration is a key requirement in order to enjoy any sort of success. Ultimately, card games reward certain qualities and force you to either improve or get left behind.

Time For a Game?

It's important to remember that these benefits are simply by-products of playing card games and that primarily, they are about fun and entertainment. However, with a whole host of hidden health benefits, card games are sure to remain popular for the foreseeable future, especially with the advent of online casino gaming.