Math Game Monday: Ben Orlin’s Row Call

This game is simple to learn, allowing kids to focus on their strategic thinking. Then ask your students to invent their own tic-tac-toe variation.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Ben Orlin’s Row Call

Math Concepts: Logic and strategic thinking.

Players: only two.

Equipment: pen and paper.

How to Play

Draw a tic-tac-toe grid.

Each player chooses a symbol: X, O, your initial, a small star, etc. On your turn, your opponent names a row or column that has at least one open square. You choose where in that row or column to make your mark.

The player who gets three in a row in any direction wins the game.

Variations

Play on a 5 × 5 grid and try to get four in a row. Or use a 6 × 6 grid, trying for five in a row.

History

Ben Orlin of Math with Bad Drawings created this game.