Kids Learn Math Playing Black Jack!

I know it sounds scandalous. But with a few simple modifications to the popular game, Black Jack is a creative and fun way to teach young kids arithmetic.

Recommend Age: 6 – 8

Traditional Rules to Discard:

In order to simplify the game to a level that a 6-8 year old will more readily understand, discard or modify some traditional rules:

(1) Chips — use 1 chip at a time to keep score, or simply keep score on a pad of paper, assigning 1 point or 1 chip per win. As the child becomes more familiar with the game and the math, you can add the idea of adding more chips if you are comfortable with the idea.

(2) Double Down and Splits – Forget this at this age. It’s too complicated; focus instead on the raw game and the math.

(3) Black Jack pays 1.5 — not in this version. Keep it sample so your youngling can wrap his or her mind around the game.

The Math of the Cards

Let your kids count their own cards. In Black Jack, player’s cards are always placed face up. If your child has a 6 and an 8, ask them to add 6+8 to see what they get. Help them if needed, but resist the urge to add it up for them or to get excited that they got 21! Let them count to it first, and then show your excitement for them for not only getting a good hand and winning, but for counting correctly!

Be the Dealer At First

Until your child gets very familiar with the game, you be the dealer. Kids don’t understand yet that dealer’s hit on 16 and below and have to stay on 17 or above. But if it helps, discard that rule altogether and simply “hit” or “stay” when you want. The point isn’t to teach them how to become master Black Jack players (at least not yet!), but to have fun and help their arithmetic skills!

Confusing Parts of the Game

Kids this age have a harder time with more abstract ides or concepts with inherent double meanings. The most challenging part for a 6 year old in this game could be that an Ace can be a 1 or an 11. Help them with this rule and try to introduce the idea of duality of meanings. Who knows, if they grasp it you are helping plant the seeds of learning into high levels of abstract math equations.

Face Cards

Remember to tell your child that any card with a face on it equals 10. This helps them assign symbols and pictures to numbers; an abstract concept that can be easily grasped at a young age.

Cognitive Skill of Guessing and Probabilities

By having your child either “guess” whether he should take another card or stay put, you are introducing the idea of statistics and probabilities into his developing mind. Should he hit on a 16 or 17? What are the odds of his winning if he has an 18 or a 19? It’s amazing to watch how elated kids will get at getting a 20–it shows that they already cognitively recognize probabilities and possibilities.

Don’t Overplay Your Hand

Don’t get caught up in teaching them the rarefied rules of the game. It doesn’t matter what the dealer is showing at this age. It doesn’t matter that the rules say they should usually stay on a hard 17 or that they should stay on a 13 when dealer is showing a 6. The point is getting to think about their cards at this stage.

When your kid gets tired or bored, don’t push it–play a few decks and quit for the time being; if you make it a chore or a math lesson, they’ll get bored very quickly. The point is not to draw attention to the fact that they are doing math. They’re just playing a game and having fun. But you, mom or dad, will be surprised how much math is actually involved.

Above all play and have fun! And don’t take this too seriously–learning how to play the game isn’t going to turn your children into “gamboholics”.