Declare Math Alternate Game Instructions
Below are a few alternative game ideas. However, the sky is the limit. Be creative!
1.) 21
Yes! The traditional game of "21" using the Declare Math Card Game is super fun and ideal in building math skills using Addition. Just don't go over 21!
This game is perfect for large groups. The goal is to get your cards to add up to 21 without going over.
Everyone is initially dealt 2 cards each. Then each player is given the option to receive as many cards desired from the deck without going over 21. Finally, everyone reveals his or her cards. The player closest to 21 wins.
Wild cards can either be removed altogether or can each equal to 1 or 10 during play.
If there is a tie, each player involved can be considered a winner OR the tie can be broken through repeat plays until one player wins out over everyone else.
2.) Solitary Addition (or Solitary Subtraction)
This is a great game to play alone, but it's tons of fun with other players.
The Addition version starts at an initial overall sum of 0. With the entire deck face down, flip over each top card and add its value to the previous overall sum. The game ends when you reach 100 (or any number you choose). How fast can you go?!
Remove both wild cards before play. All 11 & 12 cards can either remain in play or be removed before play.
The Subtraction version starts at an initial sum of overall 100 (or any number you choose) and is exactly the same as the Addition version, but in reverse. Each card flipped and its value is subtracted from the previous overall sum.
3.) The Greater Than Game (or "War")
Yes! The traditional game of "War" using the Declare Math Card Game is ideal in building math skills using counting methods.
Anyone can play this game, but kindergarteners and first graders especially LOVE this game. Whoever flips the card with the greatest numerical value, wins that round. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
Wild cards win out over all other cards. Two wild cards represent a tie. (see tie breaker options in the Card Game Instructions)
This game in reverse, The Less Than Game (or Peace), is just as fun. Whoever flips the card with the least numerical value, wins that round. The player with the most cards at the end of game wins.
4.) Concentration
This is a fabulous memory game to play with other players.
Simply lay out the cards face down and players take two turns each trying to match any two numbers at a time. If the two cards you flip over don't match numerically, you must flip them back over face down again.
But, the catch is that you have to memorize where the matches are so that you can collect those cards. Each match earns a repeat play. The player with the most cards at the end wins.
5.) Alternative to The Addition Game
An alternative to the regular Addition Game (see Card Game Instructions) is to play in teams (Team A and Team B) with 4 players, similar to the traditional game of "Spades." And, like in Spades, the 2 players on each team sit across from each other, and the teams can collect the cards after each win and group them as "books." The team with the most books (4 cards from each round) wins.
This alternative addition game is played the same as the regular addition game except if either player on a team gets the answer correct first, the team wins as opposed to individual players.
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© 2007 Eugenia Duncan