Probability Card Game

Discuss probability as you play this game of chance! All you need to get started is a deck of cards, a paper and a pencil. Most card games involve some degree of probability and provide a great avenue for discussing this concept with a child. This activity puts it simply and makes math fun. Your child will gain a better grasp of a tough math concept and be ready to head back into the classroom with confidence!

Term to Know:

Probability: the measure of the likelihood of an event

What You Need:

• One deck of cards (Print a deck.)
• Paper and pencil (to record results)

What You Do:

1. In this game, all four suits are used, but only the ace through six cards of each. Put the rest of the cards aside, then shuffle the aces through sixes.
2. Introduce the activity by discussing probability. Count the cards that will be used in the game (six cards times four suits = 24 cards). What are the chances of drawing an ace? (1/6 of the cards are aces, so the chance of drawing an ace is 1 out of 6.)
3. Spread the cards face down on the table.
4. Players take turns drawing six cards and recording how many aces they picked up. After each player, the cards should be mixed up before the next player selects their cards.
5. Discuss the results. Did anyone beat the odds? (Get more than 1 ace?)
6. Play for 10 rounds. The player with the highest score after 10 rounds wins.

Variations:

• Change the rules so that the card that "counts" is different. For example, call the game Eights Count.
• Add more cards into the game. Discuss how this will change the probability.