Games as exercise
While games are primarily considered entertainment, there are many documented mental benefits of regular gaming, be it online or offline. People with mild memory problems who take on crosswords on a regular basis see their cognition improved. Executive functions and processing speed can vastly improve with as much as 15 minutes of play per day. According to a Cambridge study, games are (alongside reading) one of the best fighters against dementia. Complex games can improve critical thinking and decision-making. So what are the most important considerations about brain training to keep in mind when playing online games?

1. Don't underestimate the classics
Some of the oldest games in the world are still the best when it comes to mental benefits. If you don't know what to play, you will never go wrong with a game of chess, backgammon, or checkers. With thousands of mobile and PC apps for online play, you will never run out of partners - and advanced matchmaking algorithms will make sure to pick someone at a suitable level.

Card games are also a good choice. Empowering tactical and mathematical thinking on a regular basis can do wonders for the brain. Poker players are well known for their quick thinking, and blackjack can help you improve your odds-calculating abilities vastly. With the option to add in an online casino bonus, you can both keep your mind sharp and earn some extra chips at the same time.

Online versions of complex tabletop games are another great choice. Whether it's something like Scrabble, Risk, Clue, or Battleship, it's important to keep your cogs spinning while having fun at the same time.

2. Diversify your routine
Just like with physical exercise, it's very important to get all of your mental muscles pumped to reap all the benefits. If you're more inclined towards word games, try introducing something like Sudoku or 2048 to your routine. People with a knack for the tactical might opt for something that will get their reflexes activated. Fighting game veterans might, on the other hand, give turn-based strategies a go. If something is going very well, it's always a good idea to give something different a try, even if it seems hard at first. There's no progress without challenging yourself.

3. Don't fall for expensive brain training traps As with every modern trend, there will be people jumping on the bandwagon in order to make some money off of it. Unfortunately, the same issue exists in the world of online games, specifically with brain training apps. Throughout app stores, you will find troves of (paid) services that offer tailor-made foolproof mental exercises that are absolutely sure to help your brain work better and even improve your IQ. Recent research by psychology experts has shown that most of these packages are nothing more than overpriced puzzle packs that you would easily find elsewhere, for free. In fact, some of them actually had to pay penalties to the FTC for misleading consumers about the supposed benefits of their programs.

4. Consistency is the key
As with any other kind of training, discipline and consistency are crucial for achievement of the long-term benefits. Whether it's your daily Wordle in the morning, a game of Sudoku on your coffee break, or some other kind of puzzle during your commute home from work, the key is to keep playing. As long as your brain exercises keep coming in (somewhat) regular intervals, the cognitive functions will keep steadily improving.

5. Give modern video games a shot
Even though they are often demonized as nothing but a time sink with no benefits, modern video games are actually real brain boosters. A lot of contemporary game titles require their players to achieve a level of commitment to honing their skills in order to get good enough to complete them. Planetary hits like Dark Souls and Elden Ring make their players perfect their reflexes and learn to recognize patterns and strategies that their enemies use. MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) are fast, competitive, and sure to get your brain working at full speed as you react to your opponents while juggling your own resources and abilities. First-person shooters make you adapt to teamwork and improve your hand-eye coordination. Player-versus-player strategies put an emphasis on complex tactics and decision-making. The options are many, and they are all fun.