Count Down to Zero
This week we are practicing 2-digit subtraction with our game.
What do I need?
1 deck of cards
2 children
math journals (or other paper)
How to play
1. Deal 13 cards face down on the table.
2. Each player creates a scorecard in their math journals. Write Count Down to Zero as the title.
Begin with the number 99 at the top of the page.
3. First player chooses either 1 or 2 cards from the face down cards. The player adds the two cards together (face cards = 10). Then the player must subtract that sum from his total (99). The difference is his new score. The two cards go in a discard pile.
4. Second player repeats the same procedure.
5. Play continues until the 13 cards are gone. Deal out another 13 cards and continue playing until one player reaches 0.
6. Players must reach 0 exactly. If the cards or card turned over total more than the player's score, turn the cards back over and forfeit your turn. At this point in the game, players need to begin remembering where the cards are on the card matrix.
7. If necessary, players may deal out more cards into the matrix as needed. (For example, if a player's total is 2, and there are no aces or 2s in the matrix, then players should add needed numbers and shuffle the matrix so the cards are hidden.)
Ultimate Version
1. Play the game in the same way, except begin the game with 200 points. Allow players to choose 1, 2, or 3 cards in each turn.
