Algebra Playing Card Games
Integer Battle
1. This game can be played with two to four players. Shuffle the deck of cards.
Divide the deck evenly among the players. Players should each keep their cards
face down in a single stack.
2. Red cards represent negative numbers and black cards will represent positive
numbers (aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, kings = 13).
3. Begin with players simultaneously turning over one card from the top of their
packs. The winner of the round is determined by who turns over the card with the
highest value. The winner gathers the cards from that round and places them at
the bottom of their stack. If players tie, play another hand and the winner keeps
all the cards from both rounds.
4. The winner of the game is the player who accumulates all of the cards, or has the
most cards when time runs out.
Variation:
Low cards win instead.
Line ‘Em Up
1. Distribute the cards equally to all of the players. Each player should receive a
maximum of 10 cards. Players keep their cards face down until it's time to start.
2. Red cards represent negative numbers and black cards represent positive
numbers (aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, kings = 13).
3. When everyone is ready, players turn over their cards and attempt to place them
in order on an imaginary number line.
4. The first player to finish says, "Done!" and players stop to check that player's
work. If they are correct, they receive one point. If not, the round is over and all of
the cards are reshuffled.
5. Play additional rounds until a player wins the game by earning 3 points.
Variations:
Start out using fewer cards (say five) and work your way up to larger amounts.
Arrange the cards vertically or horizontally.
Time yourself and try to improve your score.
Integer Product Flash
1. Distribute the cards equally to both players. Players must keep their cards face
down in a pack. Each red card represents a negative integer, and each black
card represents a positive integer. Face cards have the following values:
aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, kings = 13.
2. In each round, players simultaneously turn over a card and place it face up on
the table. The first player to correctly find the product and say it aloud wins the
two cards. If a tie results, each player keeps their cards.
3. Play until one player wins all of the cards or you run out of time. The player with
the most cards wins.
Variation:
Play with three players, and require players to multiply three numbers together in each
round. You may want scratch paper for this one!
Integers In Between
Work on two math concepts in one fun activity! Use your knowledge of positive and
negative numbers to make predictions based on probability. Red cards all have
negative values, while black cards have positive values. In each round, you'll get to
see two cards. You'll also have a mystery card. If you can guess whether or not its value
is between the value of the other cards, you'll be on your way to winning this game!
1. For the purposes of this game, red cards represent negative numbers and black
cards represent positive numbers. Face cards have the following values:
aces = 1, jacks = 11, queens = 12, and kings = 13.
2. Take turns being the dealer. The dealer provides two outer cards, face up, and
one center card, face down, to each player.
3. Each player takes a turn predicting whether or not the card in the center will have
a value between that of the cards on the outside. (This is a great opportunity to
talk about probability, by focusing on the difference in value between the two
outer cards.)
4. After a prediction is made, the center card is turned over. If correct, the player
may keep all three cards. If incorrect, they must return all cards to the dealer.
5. Play until the deck runs out or time is up. The player with the most cards wins.
Variation:
To make the game more challenging, deal four or five cards with all of the center cards
face down. Players must predict whether or not all of the center cards fall between the
outer cards.
Adapted From Math in the Cards