Hey, math game enthusiasts! As we wrap up this series on elementary math games, I couldn’t resist sharing one more gem with you. Meet Salute—a game that’s sure to add a dash of excitement to your family game nights.

We’ve already explored fun games like Go Fish and Compare, but trust me, Salute deserves a spot in your rotation too. It’s a versatile game with endless variations that keep players engaged and entertained.

So, how do you play Salute? Let me walk you through it:

Setup: Gather three players and remove the face cards from the deck. Count Aces as 1 point. Deal out all the cards face down to the three players.

Gameplay: Player 1 and Player 2 each pick up a card from their stack without looking at it and place it on their forehead (like the game “headbands”). Player 3 then announces the sum of the two cards. The challenge? Players must guess the value of their own card based on the sum announced by Player 3. If they guess correctly, they keep their card. If not, the card goes back into the pile. Play rotates so that each player gets a turn to be the one guessing.

Winning: The game continues until all the cards are gone. The player with the most cards at the end wins the game.

Variations: Want to mix things up? Try playing Salute with multiplication instead of addition. Multiply the two numbers on the cards and announce the product instead of the sum. For a two-person version, keep one card face up. Player 1 puts a card on their head, and Player 2 announces either the sum or the product. If Player 1 answers correctly, they keep the card; otherwise, it goes to the bottom of the pile.

With its simple rules and endless variations, Salute is a game that promises hours of fun while sharpening those math skills. So, why not give it a try at your next family game night?

And if you’re looking for more elementary math games, I’ve got plenty more ideas to share! Just let me know, and I’ll be happy to help. Until then, happy gaming!