Numerous books, websites, and publications in the media cover all the disadvantages and negative aspects of gambling. The factors that cause the development of gambling addiction, methods of counteracting problem gambling, and other issues related to this topic are discussed in several dozen articles on Casinoz.
In addition, laypersons believe that gambling is closely associated with criminals, various types of crime, evil, and other vicious activities. Many argue that your life will be ruined if you at least try to play cards or dice.
However, researchers have another opinion. For example, they have concluded that card games have many advantages and even have a beneficial effect on health. The benefits are described in the article below.
What Abilities Can Playing Card Games Develop?
When playing cards, you entertain yourself and develop various skills and abilities.
- Math skills: Players must consider possible options, make calculations, and determine the probability of victory in various situations.
- Psychological skills: You learn to control your emotions, bluff, figure out the opponents' intentions, consider their mimics, etc.
- Memory development: A good player keeps discarded cards in mind and memorizes opponents' actions, improving memory.
- Communicative skills: In the modern world, many people experience a lack of communication. Card games with real opponents improve communicative skills in the informal medium.
Besides, sitting at the card table, gamblers meet people of different professions, ages, from other countries, and various social standings. Each can teach others something, increasing life experience and widening your horizons.
Benefits of Playing Cards for Older People
Does your grandfather enjoy playing poker with friends, and does your grandmother not mind playing bridge? If they play for fun or make small bets, don't worry. Card games may be beneficial for them.
Let's enumerate the key advantages of such activities.
Stimulation of Cognitive Capacities
With age, individuals' cognitive abilities reduce. As a result, memory deteriorates, attention diminishes, learning ability decreases, and sometimes even dementia develops. Yet, we should not consider such problems as inevitable satellites of aged individuals. Recent research has demonstrated that the brain can perform productively throughout life if sufficiently stimulated.
Card games can be excellent brain simulators. Bridge, rummy, and numerous versions of poker make players concentrate on the gameplay, choose the optimal strategy, consider opponents' actions, and make other decisions. While they are excellent entertainment, they simultaneously stimulate the brain, causing it to produce new cells.
In 2014, experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that fans of card games and table games, as well as all kinds of puzzles, had a bigger brain size than those who did not enjoy such entertainments.
It is an important parameter since its decrease is associated with the development of degenerative diseases, including senile dementia.
You can stimulate brain activity in other ways, but if card games are enjoyable for you, why not use this method?
Users can play cards with real opponents or use computer software. Free demo mode or real gambling at casinos is also suitable. Remember that we are talking about skill-based games that require making decisions. For example, video poker or online blackjack can be excellent brain exercises.
It is hardly worth considering card games to combat Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative processes effectively, but researchers find them useful anyway. Let's listen to the neurologist Keith Josephs of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota:
Card games are rather able to delay manifestations of the disease, which allows patients to function better. - AARP
Preferring casino card games, keep in mind that there are risks associated with the development of problem gambling. You don't want to become an old, addicted gambler trying to cope with dementia.
Activation of the immune system
There is strong evidence that cards can strengthen immunity. We are talking about bridge, poker, blackjack, and other games of chance that require concentration, math skills, and strong memory. They increase the number of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes responsible for fighting infections. They are also called T-killers because they destroy cells affected by various germs.
The research of the neurologist Marian Diamond confirmed this hypothesis. Aged fans of the bridge were enrolled in her study. After playing cards, the content of cytotoxic T-cells in the CD4 subpopulation increased.
Recreational Activities
At least two studies have confirmed that card games help patients treated for alcoholism and drug addiction to return to everyday life. Cards decrease the cortisol level in the blood, reducing stress and improving mood.
That's why many recreational centers offer bridge or pinochle. Of course, card games with wagering the real money are not allowed in such clubs because former alcoholics or drug addicts may become victims of another addiction problem, gambling.
Reduced Stress
In older adults, there is an elevated level of stress-related hormones. Since the body does not cope with them, they lead to the development of hypertension, weaken the immune system, and cause depression. Card games in a pleasant company relax, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Struggle with Loneliness
Many older adults feel lonely. This problem is particularly relevant for the elderly who lost their husbands or wives in declining years. Adult children live their own lives. Colleagues are gone. Neighbors do not always turn out to be pleasant people. Many friends are already dead. In this situation, it is easy to fall into depression.
Collective card games help make new friends and kill the blues. It does not matter where to play: in a club for older adults, in the kitchen, or elsewhere. The main thing is that such entertainment helps them to cope with loneliness.
Card Games for Children
Before we continue to discuss the topic, we want to warn our readers:
Casinoz is sure that children may not gamble for money or valuable things. Card games arranged for educational or entertainment purposes only are discussed below.
Perhaps you think that cards are not a game for children. We agree with you if you mean gambling. The later children learn about the world of gambling and its manifestations, the better.
Card games can be helpful even for those who have not yet reached the age of majority. Let's enumerate some advantages:
- Communication: The problem of natural communication deficiency is growing in the modern world. Children from an early age get used to living in the virtual world of social networks. Many card games are created for youngsters, allowing them to have fun with peers.
- Development: Our article mentions skills developed by card games above. All of them are suitable in this case. Card games can strengthen children's memory, calculation skills, etc.
- Entertainment: Teachers know that representatives of a younger generation can hardly be captivated by calm monotonous activities. Cards can help in this case. Many exciting card games can calm down even the most violent mischievous children.
We want to repeat once again:
Casinoz does advise involving children in playing card games. We strongly oppose underage gambling.
Yet, card games can be helpful.
Extra Advantages of Card Games
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, card games have other benefits.
- The compact size of card decks allows for taking them during trips and journeys.
- Most card games do not require additional equipment.
- When you shuffle cards, you improve your reflexes and sensory-motor skills that provide coordination.
- The wide range of card games allows anyone to find a game according to their taste.
Do you want to expand our list? Feel free to write comments.
You can try numerous online card games here.
Conclusion
Do you believe in any beneficial effects of card games on mental and physical health? Are they advantageous or detrimental?
We invite Casinoz readers to join the discussion. Share your opinion and personal experience, and feel free to provide advice.
