Mobile games are emerging as interactive platforms for the development of cognitive and social skills. Some games are digital adaptations of classic strategy games like Chess and Rummy. Others, like Minesweeper and Connect Four, offer a different experience.
Regardless, there are many games that can help you develop your ability to think ahead.
Individuals with great decision-making skills don’t just think about their best move. They also think about the move after playing it. The best decision makers tend to always have foresight and strategy. They also demonstrate the ability to plan ahead.
But do you know there are games out there that are designed to improve your strategic thinking skills? Playing these games can help you become better at planning in gameplay as well as in real life. Keep reading to learn about 7 such games.
Why Strategic Thinking Matters
Strategic thinking is a skill that matters in games as well as in real life. Here is how.
In Games
The ability to think strategically will help you predict the future moves of your opponents. So, you can quickly think of a countermeasure and adapt your strategies. Strategic thinking will also help you be less reactive.
Strategic thinkers tend to plan ahead instead of reacting to the actions of their opponents. Strategic thinking also helps individuals be more resilient to setbacks. They can calmly analyse the situation, take lessons, and optimise their strategies.
In Real Life
The ability to think strategically will make you a great decision-maker. You can understand a situation from different angles and create solutions to complex problems. So, you can grab new opportunities and overcome current barriers. Moreover, strategic thinkers can anticipate potential risks, develop contingencies, build confidence, and become resilient.
You will be able to adapt to unexpected situations. You will also feel more confident about navigating life’s challenges.
Top 7 Strategic Thinking Games
Here are popular strategic thinking games you should try.
Rummy
You can play rummy cash games to enhance your strategic thinking skills. The game requires you to form melds by creating sets and sequences of cards. You have to apply strategic thinking about the cards to keep, pursue, or discard. Playing rummy online free games also requires anticipating the moves of rivals and strategizing accordingly.
Poker
Poker is another game of cards that requires strategic thinking. It requires you to bluff and read your opponents. Players have to make calculated decisions related to hand strength and wagering. Poker also requires players to analyse probabilities and assess risks. So, poker is all about anticipation and planning skills.
Chess
Chess is a classic game known for the use of tactics and strategies. Good chess players always make their first move with a plan. Predicting the moves of your opponents and adapting strategies as the game progresses is also a part of chess gameplay.
Go (Baduk/ Weiqi)
Go is another classic game that helps players build strategic thinking. The game is played by placing stones on a board. The purpose of the stone placement is to surround and capture territory. Winning the game of Go requires application of pattern recognition, position assessment, and long-term strategic thinking skills.
Minesweeper
Minesweeper is a single-player game in which you have to deduce where mines are located based on number clues. So, your pattern recognition and logical reasoning skills will be tested. Players have carefully analyzed the board and placed flags strategically. They must be able to avoid triggered mines.
Connect Four (Advanced Play)
The game appears simple at first. But there is an advanced version of Connect Four that can help you develop strategic thinking ability. The advanced play of the game requires you to form winning sequences and block opponents. This requires strategic planning. You must think of several moves in advance. You must also consider the implications of each of the moves on the overall state of the board.
Magic: The Gathering/ Trading Card Games
The game typically involves resource management, deck-building, and tactical decision-making. You must be able to anticipate the strategies of your opponents. Your own plans must be adapted to overcome difficulties and win. You have to build a short-term as well as a long-term strategy under pressure. So, Magic is a great game if you want to improve your skills to make decisions under uncertainty.
Ready To Try A Strategic Thinking Game?
If you are ready to amplify your brainpower, you should start playing a game that helps you develop strategic thinking. Playing these games will help you train yourself to think like a strategist.
Some like poker and rummy games will help you develop the ability to read opponents and recognize patterns. Games like chess and Go require you to anticipate moves and plan ahead. So, engaging in multiple games, like both chess and rummy, can be a way to develop complete strategic thinking skills.
So, checkmate your opponent’s king and win all the rummy cash. Download chess and rummy apps today.
