Publisher: Out of the Box Publishing
Designer: Maureen Hiron
Artists: Christine Hoffmeyer, John Kovalic, and Cathleen Quinn-Kinney
Genre: Children’s number based speed card game
Year: 2009
Players: Two to four players
Ages: 8+
Playing time: Around five minutes
MSRP: $9.99
7 Ate 9 is a speed card game that requires you to do some quick thinking if you are going to win. The cards all have numbers ranging from 1 -10, additionally in the corner of the card you’ll find either a plus/ minus 1, 2, or 3.
All the cards are shuffled, and one is dealt face up on the table. The remainders of the cards are dealt out to all the players, who each make their own draw piles. At a signal to start, the players start drawing cards from their decks, one by one.
The card face up on the table determines the next card that needs to be played. If the card is an 8, and there is a little +/- 1 in the corner, you need to play a 7 or 9 on top of the 8. If there is a +/- 2 in the corner, then you would need to play a 6 or 10 on top of the 8. See how it works? You can only play a card that is equal to adding or subtracting the small number from the big number.
You continue to do this for each new card that stacks on top of the last card. Each player draws from their pile and plays cards as fast as they can, no need to wait for the other players. The first person to run out of cards wins.
The difficulty comes from having to add or subtract from numbers that go over 10 or under 1. There are special rules for this instance, so have no worries.
The game literally takes 5 minutes to play. It is exciting because you are drawing, thinking, and playing as fast as you can, frequently sliding your card in a split second before your opponent(s), who will usually say “Doh!”.
The game is an educational one as well as entertaining. It is great for the kids needing some math practice. The cards are well done and of good quality. They come in a nice little colorful tin, so that you can take it on the train, the plane, or wherever you have a few minutes to kill.
Out of the Box also publishes a similar game called Super Circles. This game uses colors instead of math, so it works on a different part of the brain. Super Circles is a great game for those looking for a quick, exciting mental challenge.
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2 Comments
Thanks for the splendid review! Does wonders for the ego of us games inventors.
You’re Welcome Maureen! My wife and I were actually laughing as either me or her slipped a card onto the pile just a fraction of a second before the other. It was fun 🙂