How to Play
After shuffling the deck, the first player turns up the top nine cards and arranges them face-up in a 3 × 3 array, with three rows of three cards each. The deck is passed to the next player once the player captures (removes and keeps) any tens and any pairs of cards that add up to ten.
In turn, each player gives out enough cards to fill in the array’s vacant spaces; if there aren’t enough, they cover all nine cards with new ones. Next, pass the deck on after capturing any tens and any pairs that add up to ten.
Bonus: You might also search for a matching pair if your capture reveals an older card.
The
Variations
Concentration (Memory): Lay all the cards out face down on the table in a single layer with no overlaps. On your turn, flip up two cards. If you find a ten or a number bond, take it. If not, leave the cards showing long enough that all the players can see what they are. Then turn them face down before the next player’s turn.
History
One of my favorite arithmetic games has always been Tens Concentration. Constance Kamii’s book Young Children Continue to Reinvent Arithmetic contains the face-up Nine Cards variation.
Counting & Number Bonds: Math Games for Early Learners is the source of this game. Visit Denise Gaskins’ Playful Math Store to get more of my books, printable activities, and interesting math-related products.
Special Offer: Would you like to have easy access to a growing collection of Math Monday games and other activity ideas as downloadable PDFs that you can print and use with your children? For math-related inspiration, advice, printable activities, and more, follow me on Patreon.
Copyright © 2025 by Denise Gaskins for “Math Game Monday: Nine Cards.”
