A multiplication game using all arithmetic combinations (1–20)
Goal: To quickly recall arithmetic combinations.
Number of players: 2
Material: 36 number cards (4 × each number 1–10). For an easier version, use only 4 × cards 1–5 or 1–6. For a more challenging version, use only 4 × cards 3–10 or 4–10.
Objective of the game: To collect all the cards. In the shorter version, the winner is the player who has more cards when the original decks have been played through.
Card setup: Shuffle the cards and deal them face down into two piles so that each player has one pile in front of them.
How to play: Both players turn over the top two cards from their pile, place them face up, multiply the two numbers together, and say the answer (product) aloud. The player with the larger answer wins all four cards. If the answers are equal, a “battle” begins. Both players draw two new cards from their piles, form a new multiplication, and compare answers again. The player with the larger answer now wins all the cards. The battle can continue until one player wins.
When the original piles run out, players continue using the cards they have collected. At this point, players may have different numbers of cards. When those piles run out, players again use the cards they have accumulated. Eventually, one player will have all the cards and is the winner.
If the shorter version of the game is used, the winner is determined when the original piles are exhausted.
