Dominoes - Higher or Lower

This is a quick and easy maths game to help reinforce the concept of place value.

The game works best with 3 to 4 players. There's no gameboard and nothing to download this time. You only need a set of dominoes and a handful of counters to use as scorekeepers.

The game relies upon the feature of dominoes that they can be used to show two different two digit numbers. For example:

At the start of the game, the players spread and mix the set of dominoes face-down between them. Each player then selects six unseen dominoes.

The first player chooses one of his dominoes, looks at it and decides whether it would be best to play it as a High Number, or a Low Number. Let's say the first player is Bill, and he has chosen a 2:4 domino. He places it on the table to show 42 and decides to call: "Highest Number".

The other players now look at their dominoes and try to find one that will 'beat' 42. The second player chooses a 3:4 domino and plays it as 43.

The third player however, can make 51 with his 1:5 domino. In this case, the third player wins the round and receives a counter.

The line of dominoes is placed aside and the next player lays one of his dominoes down saying whether he is aiming for  a High Number, or a Low Number.

 Who can win the most counters? Can the children decide whether it is purely down to luck and the selection of dominoes... or whether careful play can ensure a 'good player' always wins? Older children may also be able to develop a clear strategy as to which domino to play at each turn.

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