Multiplayer, board, casino, and brain-tickling puzzle games have been part of human culture since the dawn of civilization. They’re fun, challenge the mind, bring people together, and strengthen relationships (or ruin them, depending on the game – Monopoly, you rascal, you!)
Even in today’s digital age, all of these game genres (which fall under the table game category, as they’re typically played at – yup, you got it – a table) are still as enjoyed worldwide as they were before the internet changed society. Today, people still want entertainment, socialization, and that satisfying, sumptuous, ever-sweet feeling of deploying the best strategy, beating the odds, and using wits to win the game at the table.
When folks crave some good ol’ fashioned wits-testing – whether alone or with amigos – they pick the game that challenges their brains. Out of all the titles under the intelligence-inducing umbrella, the following always rank among brainy boffin players’ top picks.
Sudoku
Sudoku is a long-time favorite that really gets the neuron juices flowing. It could take anything from a few minutes to several hours to get through a single game – particularly when playing its classic version on paper. Its online variant is equally as squeezy on the prefrontal cortex – no matter if a player isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the drawer.
Smarty pants and beginners can try this old game to test their brain power. While it’s a real logic burner, the concept is simple; it’s a number placement puzzle in which players must fill a 9×9 grid strategically and mathematically, with the aim of each column, row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes containing the digits from 1 to 9, only one time each. The puzzle begins with a partially completed grid; the player fills the rest. Sudoku is a great game, and like all of the games on this list can also be played on mobile.
Blackjack
The objective of this timeless casino game sounds easy: to get as close as possible to a total sum of 21 – without “busting” or going over. Players bagging 21 or getting closer to that number than the dealer win the game – simple. However, the hippocampus hype surrounding blackjack that makes this game ideal for brain training is this: the degree to which players control their actions throughout can affect the potential outcome (it’s not solely about luck, you see!)
Interestingly, one of the four main choices players can make with their hand – be hit, stand, double down, or split – is always mathematically more advantageous, which, if players can fathom with their noggins, can lead them to higher chances of victory. What’s more, blackjack offers some of the best odds in casino games – but only for those willing to hone their abilities!
Still, whether playing for relaxing fun or to amp up skills, many online outlets, such as cafecasino, offer, as well as plenty of other popularized table games – enabling fans to entertain themselves with blackjack or similar baccarat for example (or practice to become the best, whatever takes their fancy).
Poker
Poker is perhaps the single most challenging, skill-commanding casino game – and it can be hard on the upstairs department. It demands wits and developing the skills needed to become a talented player – sometimes even taking years of dedicated practice. While this cognitively stimulating title is heavy on strategy, it’s just as hefty on the rewards – if players master their poker face and devote the time and energy to improving their competencies.
Of course, poker has always been one of the best casino games in land-based establishments; it’s part of gambling culture. However, in modern times, many fans enjoy the game over the internet from home – as is the case with video poker. When opting for video poker, selecting a game with a higher Return to Player (RTP) is advised – any percentage above 99% is ideal; anything below 94% is a red flag.
Plus, any given game’s RTP changes, depending on how players play – and the latter depends on their wits; hence, practicing, developing the best poker strategies, and choosing the right one to deploy at the ideal time is what this game is all about.
Chess
Chess is among the oldest games on the planet, dating back over 1500 years. It evolved as it spread globally – a journey that saw it connect people of all different ages, backgrounds, and cultures over a common penchant and passion for the game
As players challenge the board, the brain must exercise logic, develop pattern recognition, and undergo memory testing while conducting smart decision-making – visually and analytically. Although anybody can enjoy chess at any age – young and older people reaping the benefits of the game’s brain exercises – it’s especially revered as a brain health-boosting activity for the elderly.
Scientific evidence suggests that chess could reduce the chances of developing dementia. Research conducted in 2019 revealed that the complex mental flexibility chess demands, including challenges in memory, visual-spatial skills, calculation, and critical thinking, could help ward off cognitive decline and postpone symptoms of dementia.
