Card Games Can Improve Short- and Long-Term Memory

Updated on September 18, 2022

Playing a few card games each week could help to improve your memory. You may know that games like crossword puzzles and board games can help improve your focus, attention span, and brain health. Card games are beneficial, too, especially when you play a combination of them. For long-term and short-term memory improvement, consider these card games.

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Blackjack Can Help Improve Memory

One of the best card games for memory improvement is blackjack. The game helps to boost memory recall and storage. That can help to make a person a bit better at concentration while also improving overall focus on difficult tasks at hand. The game is one of the world’s most popular card games for its risk and challenge. It has become so famous that nowadays there are different versions online, from the classic version to themed versions like Deal Or No Deal Blackjack, where you can consider The Banker’s offer. This mind-sharpening game is an excellent way of building image recall that can be used in any other facet of life.  

Boost Attentiveness with Card Games

Several card games require you to focus heavily on what’s happening. This can help to improve attentiveness. They encourage you to focus on the single task at hand, rather than whatever is on your mind. Gin rummy is one example. To win, you have to pay close attention to which cards have been discarded and used. You also have to consider what your competitors are doing with their cards.

Bridge is another excellent choice for boosting short-term memory. There are various memory techniques you can employ to improve your skills including things like counting patterns and points. While Bridge is a game of math, it also requires paying close attention to create hypotheses.

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Card Games to Improve Cognitive Function and Focus

Another good example of focus-boosting card games is the game of poker. All types of poker require a lot of focus to do well. They also require you to focus on small details of the game that can give you an edge. This includes developing interpretation skills to pick up on subtle signs of how well your competitors are playing. This forces your brain to multi-task and zero in on what’s happening in the game. This type of gameplay can help improve your memory skills especially those for long-term recall.

For those who want to boost cognitive function, memory and concentration skills, check out one of the many versions of solitaire. This happens because the game challenges your brain to think about what just happened in the game so you can make better decisions about how to play the next round. The game is very relaxing, especially since you are only competing against yourself. Yet, a few rounds a day could help to sharpen your memory recall, especially for short-term focus. That may also mean that if you want your employees to do their best work, you may need to allow them to play a few card games on breaks.

There are even very simple games you can play with most people of any age that can help with memory. Laying cards out face down on a table, you can play a rather complex game of match. It may seem simplistic, but it is more challenging than you may realize!

Competitive Online Card Games and More

If you are unable to get a group of people together to help you to play these or other card games, consider online versions of your favorite games. Try out a few versions of online poker or blackjack, for example, to help you perform at your best. You can extend your online gameplay further, choosing games based on crosswords or jigsaw puzzles. There are many versions of online solitaire to play any time you have a few spare minutes to yourself. These are excellent ways to sharpen your memory skills.

Investing a few minutes each week in card games, either online or with a group of friends is good for you. It can even add a bit of quality of life while giving you an opportunity to socialize with a group of friends. The key is to try different games and various versions of the games. That’s what helps to push your brain-training even further. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.