Unveiling Brain-Boosting Games: Elevate Your Brain Health and Prevent Dementia with One Pack of 99p Cards…

Experts reveal the healthy brain training games to level up your brain health with just one pack of cards 

 The New Year is upon us, and what better way to start the new year than to improve your brain health with some fun brain-testing games. 

Many board games on the market can be pretty pricey, and although the fun might last a short while, the novelty tends to wear off quite quickly. In contrast one deck of cards can cost as little as 99p, and offers hundreds of different games to play. 

Card games are also a fantastic way to encourage healthy brain training, which can improve cognitive skills and longer attention spans. Memory card games and games which challenge the brain can help to reduce the risk of dementia, improve cognitive skills and help with communication. This is why experts at Casino.co.uk have put together a list of fun and challenging games that will ensure you have an ace start to the New Year whilst keeping your brain healthy.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a 2-7 player card game in which the object is to be the first to discard of all your cards by placing them on top of the card in the centre, which is flipped upwards. Players may make their move if the card they want to get rid of is the same suit or number as the card that is flipped up in the centre. However, if a player plays an 8, they must state what suit that eight will be for the next player. If a card cannot be played, the player must take cards off the pile in the centre for a maximum of five cards or until they can play. 

Crazy Eights is a great game as there isn’t much to remember, it encourages players to solve problems, which is fantastic for brain health and enables players to think outside the box. 

Cheat

Cheat is a simple catch-them-out style game in which you state and place your cards down in front of all players on top of a shared discard pile. If you get called out for having lied about which card you have placed on the pile, you must pick up the whole pile.  

Cheat is super easy to pick up and is not too complicated for anyone who might lose attention quickly.   

Racing Demon (or Nerts)  

This game aims to eliminate a central pile of cards by placing them in orders on your own row of cards and in a shared space where everyone can play. However, players do not take turns in this game, which is why it is chaotic and frantic, but this is all part of the fun! You can get one point per win and bonus points when producing queens and placing cards in the communal pile. 

The benefit of playing slightly chaotic and crazy games is that you work quickly to solve problems while exercising your brain simultaneously. It is also an excellent way to learn self-motivation and increase attention span.

Kemps 

This game is one to play with an even number of players only as you play in pairs. Throughout this game, you are trying to assemble four-of-a-kind cards by sweeping up from the middle pile and removing any unneeded ones. The game aims to finish with the most four-of-a-kind cards as possible, but you or your partner must remember to shout Kemps to solidify the victory. 

By experimenting in paired-player games, you are enhancing your agility and decision-making skills and exercising healthy communication, which works wonders for bonding with family and friends.  

Memory 

To play this game, you must place the whole deck of cards facing downward in the centre of the table. In turns, players must pick up two cards and show them to the rest. If the cards match by number or suit, the player gets to keep them, but if they are different, they face them down again, and the game continues. Whoever has the most pairs at the end wins. 

Memory-based games are fantastic for honing your ability to recognise and recall information, promoting cognitive development, as well as being fun and enjoyable, helping to increase creativity and concentration for extended periods.  

A spokesperson from Casino.co.uk commented: 

 “During the New Year, people tend to spend time away from exercising the brain and focus mainly on work and getting back into the swing of life after Christmas, and while it is incredibly healthy to let your body and mind rest over the festive period, it is important to keep your brain healthy and exercised. This guide offers some perfect examples of easy and fun brain training games where you only require one deck of cards. 

 “The New Year is the perfect excuse to start new hobbies and habits so, instead of planting yourselves in front of the television, why not get your brains going with some healthy competition.“