In brief
In a small box you will find 55 math cards (54 basic cards and the optional Reiner card), 5 large math symbol tokens and 25 point tokens (5 each with values from 1 to 5). The game lasts for five rounds, during which players play math cards, creating mathematical (well, seriously!) Equations. Arquimedes is a card game for 2–5 players aged 7 and over – easy and addictive. Plus, for kids who are just starting to learn math, it’s a nice alternative. Learning while having fun is usually the best!
Game
To prepare for the game, set aside the appropriate number of penalty point tokens and then shuffle the cards. Each participant should have five in their hand. The remaining cards should be turned face down and placed in a space accessible to all – this is the draw deck. Just before the game starts, we reveal the first card from the deck and put it next to it (it is the first one from the calculation pile), and 5 mathematical equation tokens are placed nearby.
The youngest player to build the equation begins the first round – first he reads the number on the top card of the calculation pile, and then performs a sequence of actions to show what equation he creates. The next stage is arranging equality (the “=” symbol is crucial here), and the next – drawing cards (if we do not have any that would suit us). Four equations are possible if we assume that we play two cards consecutively:
– addition, e.g. 3 + 5 = 8;
– subtraction, e.g. 8 – 1 = 7;
– multiplication, e.g. 3 x 4 = 12;
– division, e.g. 10: 5 = 2.
The result of the equation must appear as the last card in our final play. Moreover, the following equations are unacceptable: 3 = 4 + 4, which seems obvious. A round may end in a victory for one player or a relative draw. There are also penalty points for all those who did not manage to get rid of the cards in their hand. If during a round the deck of drawn cards is exhausted and all players fold, it is also called the end of the game.
At the end
The creator of the game is a German board game designer, privately a doctor of mathematics, Reiner Knizia. His titles have delighted card game fans for many years, and the same is true of Arquimedes . The small game can be liked, moreover, it is very useful if our children are just starting their adventure with school (and maths). The card game was made with the greatest care, and the fact that it fits in one box (with an aesthetic finish) allows it to be transported freely. In addition, the author took care of an addition in the form of a joker card, assigning his name to it (Reiner card). In conclusion, if you are looking for something special for your kids 7+, check out Arquimedes !
