You’ll need a deck of cards with all the 10s, Js, Qs and Ks removed. All other cards are face value, aces being 1. Let’s say you’re doing a 5-digit game. (You can increase or decrease the number of digits depending on grade and ability levels.) Ask students to write on a piece of paper the following:

TenTh Th H T O

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Next, you’re going to show the class one card (number) at a time. The object of the game is to make the greatest number possible using those numbers. Once they’ve written the number on their paper, it can’t be erased, moved or changed in any way. (Erasures disqualify a student.) The game is partly luck, partly strategy. An added benefit: It’s one that everyone can win.

Variations:

• Put the tens back in and use them for zeros.
• Have students make the least number possible.
• Add in decimal place values.

from:

http://washmath.org/files/GamesAndActivities.pdf