Magic: The Gathering has an estimated six million players world wide, making it one of the most popular trading card games in history. With that many followers, you know it has to be fun, but could it be more than fun? Can a card game help teach skills, especially to younger players? Here you will find some interesting information about what Magic: The Gathering may offer.
Improves Logic Skills
Magic: The Gathering was invented in 1993 by Richard Garfield, mathematics professor for Whitman University, and produced by Wizards of the Coast. In the game, players must form a strategy for their battle against their opponent, pitting the best of their creatures and spells against one another, deciding acceptable losses and how to use every event to their advantage.
Improves Mathematical Ability
Players must keep up with a life score, and when creatures battle, one’s strength and toughness are compared to see who wins. There are multiple modifiers that can occur differently each time, so at every attack, it must be calculated again.
Improves Social Skills
Magic: The Gathering requires players to play one on one or in a group game, thus encouraging interaction and the building of relationships. Deck building events, such as draft and sealed tournaments, require players to meet many people as the tournament progresses.
Improves Sportsmanship and Relationship Building
You can’t win every game. This teaches a sense of fairplay and graceful losing, as well as sportsman like winning. In team events, sometimes one player has to make sacrifices so that the team can gain advantage. It encourages a sense of team play and lack of selfishness.
Encourages an Enjoyment of Reading
Each Magic: The Gathering set of cards is based on a book, and there are richly detailed novels weaving a storyline through the whole game. Often, players get interested in the origins of their favorite cards and begin reading the novels, all of which are written by accomplished authors, thus increasing their reading comprehension and language skills.
Creates a Fun Environment for Family Time!
Magic: The Gathering is a game that can be played as a family and with friends. Nothing is more important a benefit than the time spent with those you care about creating happy memories.
Overall, I highly recommend giving Magic: The Gathering a chance. You may make some new friends, and teach your kids some valuable lessons along the way.
