5 Good Reasons to Play Solitaire

Solitaire is one of the most popular card games. But just what makes this card game so great? This post delves into some of the benefits of playing solitaire and why you should consider playing it more. 

Solitaire can be played alone from anywhere

Many card games can only be played with other players. Solitaire is unique in that it can be played solo. Legend has it that the game was first invented by French prisoners as a way of passing the time. Of course, in years gone by, you needed a deck of cards to play it. Nowadays, you can play it on a computer (most Windows PCs have it pre-installed) or on a phone (there are various free sites and apps you can use), making it more possible to play from anywhere if you have any digital device on you.

There are many variants of solitaire to explore

Solitaire isn’t just one game, but a whole genre of card games. The most classic version is sometimes known as ‘klondike’ and can be played with a single deck of cards. Spider solitaire requires two decks of cards and is the version found on Windows computers. Other variants include freecell and pyramid solitaire. All in all, there are believed to be over 500 variants of solitaire. With so many different variants to explore, it’s a game you’ll never get bored of.

Solitaire is the perfect stressbuster

While it’s possible to play solitaire against a clock, it’s typically a slow-paced game. Unlike other card games, there is also no betting involved. This makes it a very calming game that can be great for relieving stress. Many people play solitaire as a way to de-stress before bed. A lot of people also use it as a way to de-stress at work, using it as a way of refocusing the mind. You could view it as a form of meditation – but with an element of problem solving thrown in. 

Playing solitaire is good for your memory

Solitaire requires you to think ahead when building sequences, and is believed to be a great game for keeping one’s short term memory sharp. Those who regularly solve puzzles and play card games like solitaire are believed to be at lower risk of developing cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s. You could even find that your short term memory improves by regularly playing this game. 

Solitaire teaches patience and forward-planning

Solitaire is sometimes referred to as ‘patience’ because it requires you to be very patient in order to win. You need to think carefully when moving cards between piles – sometimes the most immediately obvious move isn’t the best move, as it could end up blocking other moves later. Forward-planning is very necessary when playing solitaire and is a skill that can be necessary in many other areas of life. Essentially, solitaire teaches you to organize efficiently by encouraging you to sort in the right order so that you don’t create obstacles for yourself later on (so that you don’t have to take any backward steps). It’s great for teaching kids these life skills.