Patience Game: A Fun Way to Develop Focus and Critical Thinking
Games are not usually known for improving focus and thinking. In fact, they are often thought of as a way to switch off the brain, or as fun distractions. But there is another side to the story when you look at specific games and how they interact with your brain when you play them.
A great example is the patience card game. Patience, also known as Solitaire or Cable, is loved worldwide. If you’ve ever played Patience games you might remember how they give you profound satisfaction when you are able to complete them. However, there is more to gain from Patience than fun and a sense of achievement when you explore its benefits on your brain.
Learn to love patience
If you’re keen to play Patience games for simple enjoyment, that’s more than enough reason. But if you’re looking for a way to strengthen your brain while having fun, then you should give Patience a try. Though patience does take brain power, it’s easy to learn.
The rules of the Patience card game
Here’s how to play patience in 10 quick steps:
Use a standard deck of shuffled cards.
Deal out seven columns of cards, with the first column containing one card, the second containing two cards, the third containing three cards, and so on. The last column should contain seven cards.
Turn the top card of each column so they’re facing up.
Once the cards have been dealt and any initial cards have been placed in the foundations, you can begin to move revealed cards across the columns.
Any aces that are revealed can be moved to a foundation pile above the seven columns. Each foundation pile represents one suit and should be built up in sequence from ace to king.
Move cards from one column to another to try and create runs of cards in descending order and alternating colors.
When you have created a run of cards in descending order and alternating colors, move the entire run to a foundation pile.
If you get stuck and cannot make any more moves, draw a card from the stockpile and try again.
Keep playing until you have successfully moved all the cards to the foundation piles or until you can no longer make any more moves.
If you successfully move all the cards to the foundation piles, you win the game!
Can games really improve your focus?
The simple answer is YES, but the benefits of playing games for focus and concentration are often overlooked. Think back to a time when you played Patience or other patience games and see if you can recognize how you benefited from practicing the following skills:
1. Attention to Detail
Games like Patience, BlackJack, and Poker require you to pay close attention to various details that are constantly changing. Often new cards are introduced to the game, while other cards are hidden, all while you are calculating values or thinking about your next move. This kind of attention to detail requires focus and the ability to make quick decisions.
2. Memory Retention
Thinking games, especially card games, require you to develop your memory in order to win. In games like Patience, it’s helpful to remember your previous moves and keep a log of possible moves to make in the future. For example, it can be helpful to delay moving cards until you have revealed other cards from the stockpile. Having a good memory is useful in all kinds of games but will also help you in real-life situations.
3. Mental endurance
Games that are too easy on your brain simply aren’t fun. There is something rewarding about having to use your brain to solve problems and recognize patterns. Having said that, games often require you to engage your mind for extended periods of time. While this is fun, it is also like a gym session for your mind. Developing your mental endurance in this way will improve your focus and staying power in all aspects of life.
The sum of all of these benefits is developing mental agility. Mental agility means being able to quickly adapt to changing situations so that you put your focus where it is needed. While this is useful in traditional Patience games, it is critical in online versions of the game where you play against other people.
The best patience game online
Now, while traditional Patience is awesome, there is an online version of the game that takes it to the next level. Solitaire Clash is a Patience game online that adds a few fun dynamics to Patience that gives you even more benefits.
Solitaire Clash works in the same way as traditional Patience except you play against other people. What used to be a solitary game has become a social game that lets you win real money. Here are some of the things you can look forward to when you play Solitaire Clash:
Play against other players from across the US and numerous other countries.
Games are timed and last 3 minutes. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins!
You get points every time you match cards in sequence. Get bonus points for matching in consecutive moves.
Play against opponents with a similar level of skill and experience
Play for free with game tickets or buy in for as little as 1$
Win real cash and prizes
Withdraw your cash whenever you want
BONUS: Get an advert-free experience
While all these benefits are great, let's focus on improved focus and critical thinking. The same benefits above apply in the patience game online except that there are additional elements of time pressure and real opposition. These elements cause your brain to quickly adapt and strengthen in a way that the traditional game just doesn't. Playing Patience online is like a boot camp for your brain that will supercharge your focus and critical thinking.
Start training your brain today
Playing thinking games can be more than a fun distraction if you use them to train your brain. If you want to improve your focus and critical thinking while making real cash, download Solitaire Clash from the Apple App Store or Samsung Galaxy Store today. Join thousands of players who have applied their minds and reaped the rewards!