Place Value Card Game

Basic Version

Use a standard deck of playing cards with the 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings removed. Aces count as 1.

Note: I recently played with Queens as zeros, and Maggie keeps the Jokers in as Wild cards that can be used for any digit.

1. Deal each player 3 cards.

2. Players use the cards to create the largest 3-digit number possible.

3. Players show their cards, and the player with the greatest 3-digit number takes all the cards.

4. Play continues with 3 more cards for each player.

5. You could easily vary this game to use 2-digit, 4-digit, or even larger numbers.

Advanced Version

Once the students master the basic version, Maggie introduces a new version of the game, this one with an added twist of strategy.

1. Same standard deck of cards with the same cards removed.

2. Each player still gets 3 cards.

3. Remaining cards are placed face down in the middle of the table.

4. After each player looks at their cards and determines their greatest 3-digit number, the fun starts! Taking turns, each player has the option to…

   • Stick–keep their 3 cards

   • Swap–remove one card from their hand and take a new card from the pile in the middle of the table

   • Steal–trade a card from their hand for a card from any other player’s hand (without looking at what card they are picking)

5. After all players have had a turn to adjust their cards, players show their cards and the greatest 3-digit number wins.