Playing cards have been around for centuries with TheVintageNews.com reporting that the earliest accounts were found in 9th century China. In the western world, card decks found their way to Europe in the 1370s, and by the 1500s, it was a common pastime. And since their creation they have been continuously used to invent sophisticated games.
One reason that card games have remained so popular is that they almost always include forming a strategy. This helps promote cognitive skills, as well as a skillset that can be used in other areas of life. Below we’ve listed 3 card games that aren’t only fun to play, but will also help you develop strategy skills.
Hearts
FamilyEducation.com defines hearts as a tricking game. This is best played with four people, but you can have up to seven participants. To win the game, you must have the least number of points recorded. You have to strategically give up cards at the start and learn when to play each number and suit. The more you play this game, the better you will be at it and the more strategic your plays will become.
Poker
Poker is another game that requires a lot of strategic thinking and it will help you develop problem-solving and judgement skills. The objective of the game is to win as much money as possible through either having the best possible hand or tricking your opponents into thinking you do. In order to win, Poker.org’s beginner’s guide details that you must develop a strategy through knowing the value of your hand, learning the card rankings, and reading your opponents. All of these strategic skills can be used in real world situations, which is why poker is often used by entrepreneurial websites as an effective way to teach business skills.
Euchre
As HowStuffWorks.com identifies, the goal of euchre is to win more tricks. It follows mostly standard rules when it comes to the value of each card except for the trump suit. Here, the highest card is the suit’s Jack. When playing this game, you are paired with a partner who will help you win the game. The more you play off each other’s strengths the greater the chance of winning the game. Not only does it help with strategy building, but it also helps you become a better team player.
If you are looking for a fun way to develop your strategy skills the above card games are perfect. For more information on how to relax do read our post on ‘Ideas for Keeping Yourself Entertained on the Weekends’. It highlights some fun activities you can do after a long week of work such as heading to the beach, going to dinner with friends, or starting a home improvement project.