To avoid losing think of another very well known game where the patterns of play are similar.
This article for teachers describes several games, found on the site, all of which have a related structure that can be used to develop the skills of strategic planning.
This is a simple version of an ancient game played all over the world. It is also called Mancala. What tactics will increase your chances of winning?
Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.
The aim of the game is to slide the green square from the top right hand corner to the bottom left hand corner in the least number of moves.
A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.
A game for 2 players. Set out 16 counters in rows of 1,3,5 and 7. Players take turns to remove any number of counters from a row. The player left with the last counter looses.
Can you match pairs of fractions, decimals and percentages, and beat your previous scores?
Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
A game for 2 players with similarities to NIM. Place one counter on each spot on the games board. Players take it is turns to remove 1 or 2 adjacent counters. The winner picks up the last counter.
This second Sudoku article discusses "Corresponding Sudokus" which are pairs of Sudokus with terms that can be matched using a substitution rule.
Basic strategy games are particularly suitable as starting points for investigations. Players instinctively try to discover a winning strategy, and usually the best way to do this is to analyse. . . .
This article explains the use of the idea of connectedness in networks, in two different ways, to bring into focus the basics of the game of Go, namely capture and territory.
Some puzzles requiring no knowledge of knot theory, just a careful inspection of the patterns. A glimpse of the classification of knots and a little about prime knots, crossing numbers and. . . .
Start with any number of counters in any number of piles. 2 players take it in turns to remove any number of counters from a single pile. The loser is the player who takes the last counter.
Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?
This sudoku requires you to have "double vision" - two Sudoku's for the price of one
The game of go has a simple mechanism. This discussion of the principle of two eyes in go has shown that the game does not depend on equally clear-cut concepts.
Can you explain the strategy for winning this game with any target?
Can you work out how to win this game of Nim? Does it matter if you go first or second?
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
Nim-7 game for an adult and child. Who will be the one to take the last counter?
Can you find the pairs that represent the same amount of money?
Can you beat the computer in the challenging strategy game?
Got It game for an adult and child. How can you play so that you know you will always win?
Slide the pieces to move Khun Phaen past all the guards into the position on the right from which he can escape to freedom.
An article for teachers and pupils that encourages you to look at the mathematical properties of similar games.
A simple game of patience which often comes out. Can you explain why?
This article invites you to get familiar with a strategic game called "sprouts". The game is simple enough for younger children to understand, and has also provided experienced mathematicians with. . . .
A game in which players take it in turns to try to draw quadrilaterals (or triangles) with particular properties. Is it possible to fill the game grid?
A game for 2 or more people, based on the traditional card game Rummy.
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
Have a go at this game which has been inspired by the Big Internet Math-Off 2019. Can you gain more columns of lily pads than your opponent?
Spiralling Decimals game for an adult and child. Can you get three decimals next to each other on the spiral before your partner?
Factors and Multiples game for an adult and child. How can you make sure you win this game?
Take turns to place a decimal number on the spiral. Can you get three consecutive numbers?
Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Four numbers on an intersection that need to be placed in the surrounding cells. That is all you need to know to solve this sudoku.
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
A game for 2 players. Take turns to place a counter so that it occupies one of the lowest possible positions in the grid. The first player to complete a line of 4 wins.
Can you spot the similarities between this game and other games you know? The aim is to choose 3 numbers that total 15.
A simple game for 2 players invented by John Conway. It is played on a 3x3 square board with 9 counters that are black on one side and white on the other.