Target Gin Rummy
The setup
Agree on a target sum, say 10. Remove the face cards and deal seven cards to each player. The remaining cards become a draw pile, and its top card is flipped over to start the discard pile. The goal is to hold seven cards that are broken into separate groups of one or more cards that add up to the target.
How to play
During a turn, the player has the choice of picking up the top card of the discard pile or the unseen card at the top of the draw pile. That player then discards a card.
How to win
When a player successfully fills their whole hand, the player lays down the hand and says “Gin!”
Variations
Taking the difference with pairs of cards can be used instead of addition. In that case, deal an even number of cards to each player.
Helping your child
First and foremost, playing math games should be fun, like any other game your family plays together!
Please let your child make poor plays (mistakes) without correction, and resist the urge to tell them the best ways to play. Bit by bit, your child will get better at the game, and they will learn so much more if you let them figure things out. There is no hurry.
If you see your child make a mistake, ask them to describe why they decided to do what they did. If your child is stuck and doesn’t know which play to make, ask them to describe the pros and cons of their choices, or ask them about how they solved a similar situation in the past. If your child doesn’t remember how to do a calculation, discuss with them the methods they know for figuring it out. These conversations are important for helping your child to develop mathematically.
Through math game play and math conversations, you are helping your child learn to enjoy math and develop important problem solving skills!