We have a new birthday girl around here as of yesterday. Birthday post is under construction. Today she got the game of Yahtzee in the mail today from her Oklahoma grandparents, and we’re playing this very moment. I used to love this game as a child, and I still do. It’s still just as much fun as I remember, but now I love it for new reasons too. I’m simply stunned at the array of math skills and logic being honed in the 7yo and 9yo as we play.
Skills include:
- simple multiplication
- single digit addition
- 2 long columns of double-digit at the end of the game
And endless strategizing, analysis of probabilities, and comparing of options: should I take 15 on my 5′s, or 21 on 4 of a kind? Should I use my chance now, or scratch out yahtzee now and hope for a better chance later? Should I sacrifice my shot at a large straight to save my bonus on the top half of the game? Should I use my four 6′s to lock in the bonus on top, or use them for 4 of a kind? What is my chance of getting a 2 to finish out a large straight?
And the most beautiful part? They don’t even think they did math today…
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You know, I like most board games, but Yahtzee is one that gets on my nerves. I hate having so little control on the outcome.
We love yahtzee….and farkle (have you played that?) Again with the math that they don’t know they are learning! Happy birthday birthday girls!
My two older girls LOVE Yahtzee! Our younger ones are just beginning to learn and play. Definitely a classic!
I need to buy that game! I loved it as a child!
We LOVE Yahtzee at our house! Glad you are enjoying it too!
Just don’t make “dad” do all the math.
And why would one scratch out Yahtzee. I mean, I can get six of those in some games!