Play poker and have a better brain

#1 February 14th, 2020, 9:33 PM

did you know that poker is considered one of the best games for cognitive development?
It is possible that brain training games can help improve your memory, response time and cognitive skills. poker is one of the best examples among so many games that are good for your brain health. Due to the high demand for strategies, it is considered one of the games with the greatest cognitive benefit.

let me know your experiences and observations, how much poker has benefited your mental health

#2 February 14th, 2020, 9:47 PM

Poker is a great game, subject to certain conditions. Do not forget to engage in physical exercises, observe the daily routine, healthy nutrition, bankroll management, do not be nervous about the game and do not forget that poker is only a game and there are more important things in life - family, friends, health, .. .

#3 February 14th, 2020, 9:50 PM

Poker in my belief is like chess or drawing, or writing. Creating. New challenges every couple minutes is great for brain exercise. Keep working your brain or you might not have one for long. Don't forget checkers. Gl have fun.

#4 February 14th, 2020, 10:13 PM

Hi Cwdignus,

Totally agree I don’t think a lot of people would look at poker like that at first, but when you think about it, playing poker stimulates the mind in many ways.

Now I can tell the wife I am not gambling or wasting my time, I am just exercising the brain and keeping the doctor away… lol Play poker and have a better brain

#5 February 14th, 2020, 10:31 PM

Poker has made me a better observer, before playing poker I wasn't good at receiving hints very slow and now I know how to read people better if they are in a good mood or not that's helped a lot with my social skills also.

#6 February 14th, 2020, 11:32 PM

The Poker has been recognized as "Mental Sports", at the same level as chess, it is not surprising that we find similarities.

In both poker and chess, the game of each hand and of each movement of a piece is born from an analysis, not only in the current play but also of all the moves already made in order to create a pattern of what is about to happen, this is known as strategy.

It is natural then that when practicing this sport you get positive benefits for mental health, but let's not forget that it is a very sedentary activity.

#7 February 14th, 2020, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Iryna Stryzheuskaya

Poker is a great game, subject to certain conditions. Do not forget to engage in physical exercises, observe the daily routine, healthy nutrition, bankroll management, do not be nervous about the game and do not forget that poker is only a game and there are more important things in life - family, friends, health, .. .

Iryna agree, the person cannot forget his life due to Poker, he really has to value his family and friends ... body are healthy mind, physical exercises are also essential even to have a good performance in poker

Play poker and have a better brain

#8 February 14th, 2020, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Shawnt

Poker in my belief is like chess or drawing, or writing. Creating. New challenges every couple minutes is great for brain exercise. Keep working your brain or you might not have one for long. Don't forget checkers. Gl have fun.

Shawnt good observations really writing, drawing are also great mental exercises, i love to draw and play guitar

#9 February 14th, 2020, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by dayontour

Hi Cwdignus,

Totally agree I don�t think a lot of people would look at poker like that at first, but when you think about it, playing poker stimulates the mind in many ways.

Now I can tell the wife I am not gambling or wasting my time, I am just exercising the brain and keeping the doctor away� lol Play poker and have a better brain

Hi Dayontour

very cool .... keep the doctor away and Alzheimer's too

#10 February 14th, 2020, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

did you know that poker is considered one of the best games for cognitive development?
... poker is one of the best examples among so many games that are good for your brain health....

cwd, do you have any sources to point to for your initial statement? Not that I doubt the validity, but as someone who is very close to someone with Alzheimer's, I am interested in further reading.

#11 February 14th, 2020, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Liru

Poker has made me a better observer, before playing poker I wasn't good at receiving hints very slow and now I know how to read people better if they are in a good mood or not that's helped a lot with my social skills also.

Hi Liru

very good ... I always liked to read people, I work with sales, in this profession there is a need to know how to read people too, learning with poker has helped even better my way of reading people

#12 February 14th, 2020, 11:55 PM

Where did you find that ? Some interview or doc, what ever is if you have link or something send me I'm interested viewing it. For sure there is some activity happening in the brain as this is game of thinking, brain waves Beta crucial for rational and critical thinking. We know so much for our self, God knows what is the limit for human and we can go much further, but we need to focus on things that are worth.

#13 February 15th, 2020, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by GIRFIED

The Poker has been recognized as "Mental Sports", at the same level as chess, it is not surprising that we find similarities.

In both poker and chess, the game of each hand and of each movement of a piece is born from an analysis, not only in the current play but also of all the moves already made in order to create a pattern of what is about to happen, this is known as strategy.

It is natural then that when practicing this sport you get positive benefits for mental health, but let's not forget that it is a very sedentary activity.

HI GIRFIED
we cannot forget about physical exercises as well, good nutrition ... as i mentioned above,
healthy body = healthy mind ... the ex minister of sports here in Brazil also considered poker a sport of the mind publicly .... I even made a thread addressing this subject at the time

#14 February 15th, 2020, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

did you know that poker is considered one of the best games for cognitive development?
It is possible that brain training games can help improve your memory, response time and cognitive skills. poker is one of the best examples among so many games that are good for your brain health. Due to the high demand for strategies, it is considered one of the games with the greatest cognitive benefit.

let me know your experiences and observations, how much poker has benefited your mental health

I have to disagree with you even though I like to play poker and actually wish you were right.
While poker does make you think and and make logical decisions, the benefit derived from that is negated by the gambling aspect of it, with dopamine hits that have an antagonistic effect on, and decrease your serotonin levels, leading to increased risk for depression. So for your mental health poker is not a good thing, regardless if you are a winning or losing player.

#15 February 15th, 2020, 12:30 AM

[QUOTE=NWPatriot;5488458]cwd, do you have any sources to point to for your initial statement? Not that I doubt the validity, but as someone who is very close to someone with Alzheimer's, I am interested in further reading.[/QUOTE

There was a medical study performed in the 80's that claimed smoking cigarettes was linked to a decreased risk for developing Alzheimer's. People liked the results so much they didn't even notice the study was paid for by the tobacco industry.
It was considered a valid medical study until 2010 when an independent study performed at UCSF proved the exact opposite.

#16 February 15th, 2020, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by NWPatriot

cwd, do you have any sources to point to for your initial statement? Not that I doubt the validity, but as someone who is very close to someone with Alzheimer's, I am interested in further reading.

Hi NWPatriot

the article is in portuguese, but you can use the translation without problem http://www.mundogump.com.br/descubra...r-seu-cerebro/
they quote Dr. Robert Freidland's research in ''The New England Journal of Medicine''...
here follows my personal opinion ,Alzheimer's is an advanced diabetes that affects the brain, so nutrition is also very important, if the body does not digest sugar, then the diet has to be ketogenic, I will search for the name of an American doctor, that her husband has Alzheimer's and she is treating him with coconut oil that is part of the ketogenic diet....according to the report of a well-known nutrologist here in Brazil DR Lair Ribeiro, the American doctor is having good results with her husband....if you search on google scientific you will find many interesting works to analyze on the ketogenic diet and coconut oil in the aid of nutritional treatment of Alzheimer's....we have a friend here on Cardschat Jacki Burkhart who won an essay contest on poker stars, telling her family history with Alzheimer and how poker helped her family member...write her a PM, she can also help you

#17 February 15th, 2020, 12:52 AM

Poker is a game where it is based on strategies, and that is where your brain comes into operation, of course, the more you play, the more your brain develops, you are working all the time, and that is good.

#18 February 15th, 2020, 2:21 AM

Originally Posted by gravac

Where did you find that ? Some interview or doc, what ever is if you have link or something send me I'm interested viewing it. For sure there is some activity happening in the brain as this is game of thinking, brain waves Beta crucial for rational and critical thinking. We know so much for our self, God knows what is the limit for human and we can go much further, but we need to focus on things that are worth.

Hi Gravac

the article that inspired me to write this thread does not have much depth or scientific basis, but it does mention Dr. Robert Freidland's work published in The New England Journal of Medicine which is scientific .... the article is in portuguese, but with google translator you will understand without a problem
http://www.mundogump.com.br/descubra-como-jogar-poker-pode-ajudar-seu-cerebro/

see my answer to NWPatriot, for you to better understand the nutritional aspect that is very important for the celebration too

#19 February 15th, 2020, 2:44 AM

Originally Posted by zinzir

I have to disagree with you even though I like to play poker and actually wish you were right.
While poker does make you think and and make logical decisions, the benefit derived from that is negated by the gambling aspect of it, with dopamine hits that have an antagonistic effect on, and decrease your serotonin levels, leading to increased risk for depression. So for your mental health poker is not a good thing, regardless if you are a winning or losing player.

Hi Zinzir

your argument regarding Dopamine production only adds to my thinking ... lack of dopamine is degenerative, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia are caused by lack of dopamine .... dopamine production does not affect the production or maintenance of serotonin in the body , of course the emotion of the game is linked to dopamine, more the learning and brain training that poker provides also not canceled by emotion or dopamine effect

#20 February 15th, 2020, 2:58 AM

[quote=zinzir;5488507]

Originally Posted by NWPatriot

cwd, do you have any sources to point to for your initial statement? Not that I doubt the validity, but as someone who is very close to someone with Alzheimer's, I am interested in further reading.[/QUOTE

There was a medical study performed in the 80's that claimed smoking cigarettes was linked to a decreased risk for developing Alzheimer's. People liked the results so much they didn't even notice the study was paid for by the tobacco industry.
It was considered a valid medical study until 2010 when an independent study performed at UCSF proved the exact opposite.

if you walk in the desert without water and the proper clothing can cause you to dementia and you start to see mirrages .... alcoholism, the use of narcotics and some types of medication can cause dementia ... cigarettes inhibit the production of biotin that is linked to cell renewal is really a salutary loss for every organism including the brain

#21 February 15th, 2020, 3:31 AM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

Hi Zinzir

your argument regarding Dopamine production only adds to my thinking ... lack of dopamine is degenerative, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia are caused by lack of dopamine .... dopamine production does not affect the production or maintenance of serotonin in the body , of course the emotion of the game is linked to dopamine, more the learning and brain training that poker provides also not canceled by emotion or dopamine effect

Parkinson's is the result of the degeneration and death of the cells in the substantia nigra part of the brain. Those cells produce dopamine, so their degeneration and disappearance leads to dopamine insufficiency and development of most symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
So it's not that "lack of dopamine is degenerative", it's the other way around, degeneration of the dopamine producing cells causes lack of dopamine.
Also, it's a known medical fact that dopamine excess has a down regulating effect on serotonin production. That is why drug addicts and degenerate gamblers, who encounter numerous dopamine spikes throughout the day, are quite unhappy, and their suicide rate is very high in comparison with the general population.

#22 February 15th, 2020, 4:00 AM

[quote=cwdignus;5488581]

Originally Posted by zinzir

if you walk in the desert without water and the proper clothing can cause you to dementia and you start to see mirrages .... alcoholism, the use of narcotics and some types of medication can cause dementia ... cigarettes inhibit the production of biotin that is linked to cell renewal is really a salutary loss for every organism including the brain

I think you are making a confusion between a mirage and a visual hallucination.

A mirage is a naturally occurring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_phenomena in which light rays bend via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refraction to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirage

#23 February 15th, 2020, 5:20 AM

[quote=zinzir;5488609]

Originally Posted by cwdignus

I think you are making a confusion between a mirage and a visual hallucination.

A mirage is a naturally occurring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_phenomena in which light rays bend via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refraction to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirage

a linguistic confusion, in Portuguese we use metaphors,Mirage BY METAPHOR that which presents itself as something very good, but which is not true; false reality, illusion, chimera, dream. mirage in Portuguese also means hallucination,
the word mirage was used in a context of dementia is well placed in the text, I believe that whoever is causing confusion in the topic is you, I will ask a Moderator to see what you are writing here

I wrote the topic just to talk about the benefits of poker, I didn't even think about causing linguistic misunderstandings

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)][COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)][/COLOR]

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#24 February 15th, 2020, 6:04 AM

Originally Posted by 10gerka

Poker is a game where it is based on strategies, and that is where your brain comes into operation, of course, the more you play, the more your brain develops, you are working all the time, and that is good.

exactly...I thought the same thing

#25 February 15th, 2020, 1:09 PM

For me poker is a hobby and a good opportunity to have fun. I play for the sake of pleasure, but no doubt, through poker, I have become more patient and disciplined.

#26 February 15th, 2020, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by MishkaZL

For me poker is a hobby and a good opportunity to have fun. I play for the sake of pleasure, but no doubt, through poker, I have become more patient and disciplined.

very good observation, your comment made me think about how children develop their brain with ludic activities ...

we can benefit our health even with a child's play

#27 February 15th, 2020, 2:07 PM

Yes, if only, there is a certain reward, and the risk of losing something worthwhile, valuable. Poker, without a reward, is nothing, it's just not interesting.

#28 February 15th, 2020, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Transcendence

Yes, if only, there is a certain reward, and the risk of losing something worthwhile, valuable. Poker, without a reward, is nothing, it's just not interesting.

in any game there should be a motivation excitement - this is the way to health - my opinion

#29 February 15th, 2020, 4:00 PM

Interesting observation. Indeed, any focused mental activity develops the brain.
But about mental health, too many emotions ...

#30 February 15th, 2020, 4:08 PM

Originally Posted by Transcendence

Yes, if only, there is a certain reward, and the risk of losing something worthwhile, valuable. Poker, without a reward, is nothing, it's just not interesting.

yep .... surely the reward motivates us to play poker in the best possible way to win, but the reward can also be subjective, for example if you are training a move or a specific strategy sometimes you lose, but the learning also it's a reward, of course i really like to win and mainly money and with money i buy beer

#31 February 15th, 2020, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by Igor Popadyk

in any game there should be a motivation excitement - this is the way to health - my opinion

very cool ... emotion is something that strengthens us, motivates us to follow and overcome obstacles

#32 February 15th, 2020, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by ronn6583

Interesting observation. Indeed, any focused mental activity develops the brain.
But about mental health, too many emotions ...

hahaha really mental health is a relative issue .... it depends on the point of observation and the observer .... the great thinkers who revolutionized the history of humanity are seen as crazy

#33 February 15th, 2020, 4:40 PM

I also believe that it is very good for the mind, after all it is a game that exercises many parts of the brain

#34 February 15th, 2020, 8:24 PM

Originally Posted by KingSize

I also believe that it is very good for the mind, after all it is a game that exercises many parts of the brain

WOOoooW Vaaaaaasco my heart is also Cruz Maltino ... I exercise my mind playing poker and my heart rooting for Vasco da Gama ... tmj

#35 February 16th, 2020, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

did you know that poker is considered one of the best games for cognitive development?
It is possible that brain training games can help improve your memory, response time and cognitive skills. poker is one of the best examples among so many games that are good for your brain health. Due to the high demand for strategies, it is considered one of the games with the greatest cognitive benefit.

let me know your experiences and observations, how much poker has benefited your mental health

I absolutely agree with you. I also think that poker is a great brain training exercise. And besides, if you are a disciplined and patient player then you always have a chance to win some money.

#36 February 16th, 2020, 2:06 PM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

WOOoooW Vaaaaaasco my heart is also Cruz Maltino ... I exercise my mind playing poker and my heart rooting for Vasco da Gama ... tmj

Dale Vasco

#37 February 16th, 2020, 3:28 PM

I don’t know what they’re saying, but it caused me, to a greater extent, the unstable psyche))) lol))

here · #38 February 16th, 2020, 4:08 PM

Hi CWD,

Personally, I have noticed a dramatic 'brain training' effect from playing poker over the last few years..

Certain mental arithmetic that (before playing poker seriously and regularly) was difficult, is now quick and easy.

It's tricky to say whether it has helped my memory specifically but poker has certainly been extremely helpful in other areas..

As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict (clean and dry for over a year now) I know that poker has been extremely helpful for me getting through that experience...

Sadly, because of the stigma around poker, this isn't information I feel comfortable sharing with people in my day-to-day life because I can't be bothered explaining that, yes, whilst gambling can be dangerous, no, this is not negatively impacting me or my life- quite the opposite.

Anyway, that's my two cents... Play poker and have a better brain

#39 February 17th, 2020, 7:52 AM

Originally Posted by cwdignus

Hi Gravac

the article that inspired me to write this thread does not have much depth or scientific basis, but it does mention Dr. Robert Freidland's work published in The New England Journal of Medicine which is scientific .... the article is in portuguese, but with google translator you will understand without a problem
http://www.mundogump.com.br/descubra-como-jogar-poker-pode-ajudar-seu-cerebro/

see my answer to NWPatriot, for you to better understand the nutritional aspect that is very important for the celebration too

Thanks for your respond. I'm interested at all good stuff coming from science and her further development.

Originally Posted by NWPatriot

cwd, do you have any sources to point to for your initial statement? Not that I doubt the validity, but as someone who is very close to someone with Alzheimer's, I am interested in further reading.

Hi NWPatriot I have been in that situation. My grandfather had dementia and he got pneumonia. We have spend 3 weeks in the hospital guarding him, as they don't wanna be with him from fear that even he got incredible 39 units of sugar in that situation, he can stand from the bed and injury himself. We have cured his pneumonia, but dementia did her stuff. He passed away after 2 months after releasing from the hospital. He does not know me his grandchildren, his sons, no one in the family. What a time we have survived. Looking at the man that yesterday we have laugh each other, now he can't recognize his sons. Hearth braking devastating image to be seen. I truly does not wish to happen any of you. At some other member from my wider family, she also got alzheimer, but her husband run this PET & CT scan 2 times for 2 years and with a miracle she was back on her track in life. I must mention that this scans aren't chip. In my country there is just 1 of this units and the health insurance does not pay for it, so you must go "private". Just 1 scanning was - 8.000 euros, so he pay 16.000 euros and they located the problem in microns of the brain (no millimeters, but microns) and cured her. I wish you all the best and I can give you advise to start immediately with: Spirulina Tablets - 1 per day, MIX with chia seed, susame,
whole nuts, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and Flax seeds, Mix them all, one (1) coffee cup from each one and add yogurt or milf and wait 1 hour to get a little bigger. Eat that everyday at the morning. As someone who losses his so much loved grand dad I'm telling what is best to do in the early stage. This Mix from seeds have sky rocket protein from plant origin, amino acids which mush go in the blood to help her feed the organs, also Spirulina tablets, is a plant from the ocean with amazing nutrients for brain. Wish you all the luck and let God be with you.
You can see study from doctor and how good are scan's I have mention.

You Tube

#40 February 17th, 2020, 9:05 AM

Originally Posted by Transcendence

Yes, if only, there is a certain reward, and the risk of losing something worthwhile, valuable. Poker, without a reward, is nothing, it's just not interesting.

Do not judge all players by yourself. I used to play poker on social networks for about 7-8 years, just for fun. If during the game there is no pleasure, but only money, then this is sad !!!

#41 February 17th, 2020, 9:25 AM

It certainly helps in many aspects if you love the game and take it a little more seriously.

#42 February 17th, 2020, 2:58 PM

Poker is like good wine. If not abused, it always benefits.

#43 February 17th, 2020, 3:23 PM

poker is surly a nice game, but you have to play with caution.

#44 February 17th, 2020, 4:03 PM

I agree. When I play poker I can feel my brain working. It is quite a brain work out actually Play poker and have a better brain

#45 February 17th, 2020, 5:55 PM

Hi.
Undoubtedly, poker is a great brain exercise. I work as a driver and for me poker is a great opportunity to relax and get distracted after a hard day's work.
Good luck.

#46 February 17th, 2020, 6:58 PM

Poker is a good thing for the brain and a lot of things, but the psyche does not hold much to play. And at the expense of money, then of course I'm in the black and my wife will not say anything bad.

#47 February 28th, 2020, 12:36 PM

Anything that helps stimulate your mind will have a good overall impact on your mental health. Keeping the brain occupied has been proven to reduce the risk of dementia and other brain conditions. Poker is just one way of keeping the mind active.

#48 February 29th, 2020, 12:04 AM

I didn�t know about this fact but I can already imagine, because when we play (even more for those who play a lot of screens) you have to maintain a high concentration level, so your brain is always working, so imagine that this already caused some kind of benefit.

#49 June 21st, 2020, 5:30 AM

poker helps me with my cognition and it amuses me, sometimes it brings me free money, it helps me learn English which is not my birth language, it also benefits my mental health

#50 September 8th, 2020, 3:54 AM

for sure. poker, chess. and this kind of games are very good exercise for our brains.
and sometimes for our emotions as well lol....
gl guys

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