This simple card game is a fun and engaging way for students to add and subtract strings of positive and negative integers and build up their mathematical reasoning.

Each player is dealt 2 cards, one face up and one face down. Everyone can see the face-up card, but only the player gets to look at their face-down card (until the end of the game, when all cards are revealed). Black cards are positive and red cards are negative. The goal of the game is to get as close to zero as possible.

Each player adds their initial cards together in their head. Then they may ask for up to 5 “hits,” or extra cards, that are dealt face up, for a maximum of 7 cards total.

The player who is closest to zero at the end of the hand wins. 

For example, imagine 2 students are playing the game. 

Player 1 asked for 3 additional hits and Player 2 asked for 1 additional hit.

Can you see who won?