Math Game Monday: Math Model Rummy

This game builds conceptual understanding of multiplication or fraction models.

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.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Math Model Rummy

Math Concepts: multiplication or fraction models.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: one deck of math model cards, or a double deck for four or more players.

Set-Up

You can work with your children to create a deck of math model cards, sketching the pictures on index cards or on a stack of old business cards with blank backs. Each deck should include 10–15 sets, or books. Take your time, making just two or three books each day while talking about real-life situations the models might symbolize. When you think the deck is finished, lay the cards out on the table in sets, to make sure each book has all its members.

Or take the quick route: download my free Multiplication & Fraction Printables file, which includes two decks of premade math model cards. Print the pages on card stock, and laminate for durability if desired.

Your card deck need not include every possible fraction or every math fact in the times tables. But it should offer enough variety to cement the most common multiplication models in your children’s minds. For example, my multiplication card deck includes products from 2×2 to 6×6. Each book consists of four cards — the multiplication equation or fraction, plus three pictures.

How to Play

Deal seven cards per player, and place the remaining cards face down as a draw pile. Turn up the top card of the deck to start the discard pile.

On your turn, you may either draw the top card from the deck or pick up the discard pile as far back as desired. But if you pick up more than the top discard, you have to meld the farthest-back card you take.

After drawing, you may meld — that is, place three or more matching cards face up on the table in front of you. If you have the fourth card in a set that has already been played (by any player), you may also lay that down in front of you.

Finally, put one card on the discard pile to end your turn. But if you discard a card that could have been played, any other player can call “Rummy!” and meld your discard.

If the deck runs out, take all the discards except the top one. Shuffle these cards and place them face down so the next player has a stack to draw from. Play continues until one player runs out of cards (either by laying them all down or by discarding the last one).

Scoring

Count each player’s score as follows:

• Each card played on the table is worth 5 points.
• For every card remaining in the hand, subtract 2 points.
• The player who went out gets a bonus of 15 points.

You may play a single hand, just for fun. Or play several hands, and the first player to reach 300 points wins the game. Or set a different point goal based on how long you want the game to last.

Variations

Floater: You must have a discard to end the game, and this must be a card that could not be melded. If you lay down all your cards without a discard, you become a floater. Continue to play your turn — drawing or picking from the discard pile and melding cards — until you can go out with a proper discard. (But it is illegal to pick up just the top discard and immediately discard it again.)

History

According to the Pagat website, Rummy-style games first appeared in the early twentieth century. Like many card games, Rummy picked up different flavors as it traveled from one player to another over the years. Feel free to modify the rules above to fit your family’s favorite way to play.