Gordon's Games - Sections A, B, C. (Matching, counting, and comparing)
(original copyright,1977, by Gordon R. Scott, under the name "Two-Up".)

 Section A:

 The Matching Game ( 4+ ) :

   This is the simplest of the games. It can be played by two to four players with the set of 20 cards having the numerals 0 to 9 used twice each.

   The cards are shuffled and then placed face down in rows of 4 or 5. The players decide on their order of play.
(Children seem to think it fair if the one to put the cards out goes last.)

   The first player turns over two cards, leaving them in their original places.

   If they match, the player picks them up and sets the pair beside his/her place. Then this player continues to turn over another two cards.

   If they do not match they are turned face down in their original place, after all players have had a chance to see them. Then the other/next player can turn over two.

   The winner is the player with the most pairs when all the cards have been picked up.

   (See the end of the book for suggestions for using this game with different cards for children not yet sure of the numerals, as well as with letters and simple words.
 

Match a Goal ( 5+ ) :

   This variation on the above can be used to lead up to the basic addition game. It is played like The Matching Game except the players must set goals for themselves before they may turn two cards up. Players need something to write on.

   These goals must be written down while all the remaining cards are face down.

   Each player, in turn, must write down a numeral from 0 to 9 that is different from any numbers already chosen. This is the player's goal. A player may only pick up a pair of cards with this number.

   After picking up a pair with this number, a player must put a single line through that goal and write down a new goal before going on to try again.

   The player who makes the most goals is the winner. If there are more than two players, a player may have to pass up the turn when he/she can't choose another goal.

 Section B:
The Counting Race ( 5+ ) :

   Only two can play this game.
  The 20 cards are shuffled and placed face down in rows of 4 or 5.
  The player who starts second may decide how the 'counting' is to be done. Both players may start at 0 and count up to 9 (the "up game"), or both may start at 9 and count down to 0 (the "down game"), or one may count up while the other counts down (the "up and down game").

   The kind of game must be decided on before the play can start.

   The first player turns over two cards to begin the game.
  Only one card at a time may be picked up, if it is suitable.
  A player starting in the "up game" will only pick up a 0 card, if it is face up.
  After picking up a 0 card, the player could pick up a 1.
  A player picking up a card in numerical order may turn over one more. This goes on until there are two face up cards the player cannot take yet. Then the other player takes his/her turn.
  Cards taken are placed face up in a line next to the player, in the chosen order.

   The game is won by the player who makes a full set of 0 to 9, or 9 to 0, first.

 The Tens Race ( 5+ ) :

   Two players use the rules of the last game , with these changes:

   Each player must pick up a 0 card first to represent the ones place.

   A player counting up will pick up a 1 next and set it down beside his/her place to form a two figure number (10) and then look for a 2 to put on top of the 1 to make 20.

   A player counting down will first pick a 0 card, and then a 9 card to form 90.

   The race is from 10 to 90 or 90 to 10 and first finished is the winner.

 The Teens Race (5+ ) :

   Like The Tens Race except, after finding a 0 card, each player must find a 1 card for the tens place. These are placed as before to form 10.
  The next card to choose will be a 2, or a 9, to form 12, or 19, depending on whether they are counting up or down.

 Note: Unless you make two more 1 cards, the game continues from 12 to 19, or 19 to 12.

 Section C :
The More or Less Game ( 5+ ) :

 &nbspTwo players sit side by side and divide the cards into two 0 to 9 sets.
  One set is spread out in front of them or between them, face up and in order. The other set is stacked in a single pile, face down.
  Each player must have four markers (five for the less able) such as buttons, pennies, popsicle sticks.

   One player takes the upside down stack and, without letting the other see, turns the stack over, chooses one card to be at the bottom of the stack, memorizes that number, and then turns the stack over and sets it down.

   The other player must then try to guess the chosen number hidden at the bottom of the stack. This guess is shown by placing one of the markers on one card in the row of face up cards. That marker stays there. (The player hiding a card will get it.)

   If the guess is correct the player who hid the card turns over the deck to show that it is that number, and then takes the marker.

  Then the two players change roles and start again.

   If the guess is not correct, the player who hid the card must tell the other that the correct number is "more than that" or "less than that". The guessing player would then place a marker on a new number.

   This goes on until the correct number is reached, or the one guessing runs out of markers. Then the one who hid the card shows it and takes all the markers.

   If the one to guess next has no markers, a new game will start. If both have markers, or only the one to guess next has markers, then they change roles.

   Should it be shown that false "more" or "less" directions were given, then the markers are given back.

 Note: There is no real winner in this game. Children simply like to guess, and to make someone guess. A time limit can be set.
  When players become skilled enough they can start with one less marker each.

 The Bigger ( or Smaller ) Number Game, 0ne Place ( 4+ ):   Two or more may play this game, although more will shorten the game.
  The cards are shuffled and set out face down in rows of 4 or 5.
  The players agree to have the bigger number, or the smaller number, of a pair of cards be the goal of the game.

   Then, in turn, each player picks up one card and names the number on it.
  The player with the winning number, bigger or smaller, puts that card face up beside his/her place. Cards so placed must be visible to both players.
  If both choose the same number, they both keep their card.
  The losing card goes face up between the players in what children like to call "the garbage can".

   The player who won will start the next round.
  If it was a tie, then the second player starts first.
  Play continues until all the cards are gone.
  The player with the most cards is the winner.
  It is possible to have a tie, and best to let it go at that.

 Note: It may be wise to include a third person as a judge or helper. The game could be changed to have this person deal one card from a pack to each player in turn.

 The Bigger ( or Smaller ) Number Game, Two Places (5+ ) :

   Just like the above game, except that:

   The players, in turn, choose one card at a time until they have two cards each.

   The players hold the cards in their hands until they have decided on the best arrangement for the chosen game.
A player with a 5 card and a 0 card could choose to make 50, or 05.

   When they have decided, they place their face up cards down beside their place to form the number chosen (50 or 05 in the example).
  They then name their number.
  Cards set down cannot be changed around, even if they are misnamed.

   The winning cards are left in place and if two players end up with the same amount of winning numbers, then the player with the largest (smallest) two figure number in their set is the winner.

   The Note above applies to this game as well.