Counting Round Game

A simple game which develops

counting skills and is infinitely adaptable.

Put any number of stones in a ring

with one bottle top. This is the “Chief”

Choose an number to count with. In this example

we have used 4. The first player starts counting

anywhere and counts in a clockwise direction

from 1 to 4 , touching the stones in turn as she

says “One” “Two” Three” “Four”.

She takes away the stone she finishes on,

the fourth stone.

The next player counts on four from the next

stone. He is unlucky because when he counts

“Four” he has landed on the Chief.

He is out of the game.

Then the next player counts on four from the stone next to the chief. The game continues until there is only one player left. This is the winner.

Variations

Here are some variations which develop skills in counting.

· Choose a different number to count with

· Count in tens

· Count with out touching the stones,

just by nodding at the stones

· Count backwards

· Count on e.g. first player “1,2,3,4” Second player 5,6,7,8”

· Have more than one chief

· Play that you can take any stone (except the chief)

when you land on the chief. The winner is the person

with the most stones.

· Let children make up their own rules

For very advanced counters

Start with a small circle of stones and one chief. Choose your own counting number. Can you find where to start so that all the stones are removed safely without landing on the Chief.

Some Notes on the above

If you start with just two counters, 1 stone and the Chief

then the analysis is not too hard

For all odd counting numbers start on the stone

For all even numbers start on the chief

If you have three counters; ie two stones and

the chief then again a pattern emerges;

Start 7 3 5 8 4 6

13 9 11

6n+1 6n+3 6n-1 6n+2 6n+4 6n

But with four counters the analysis becomes complex