Customer Reviews

Out of the Box Publishing, Inc. 7 ATE 9 - Fast and Fun Number Crunch'n

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7 ate 9 may be the traditional explanation for 6's profound fear of 7, but it most definitely doesn't explain why it is such a fun family game. The responsibility for this welcome transformation lies squarely on the shoulders of designer Maureen Hiron, the art of Cathleen Quinn-Kinney and John Kovalic, and the acumen of the once again inspiringly playful folk of Out of the Box.

7 ate 9 is a card game of speed and calculation, similar to Spit, but significantly more excruciating - in a good way. A very good way.

Two to four players begin the game by taking the top card from the shuffled deck, placing it face-up in the center, and then distributing the rest of the deck evenly between players. Since there are 73 cards, after the first card is played on the table, the rest divide into satisfyingly even piles whether you're playing with 2, 3 or 4 players.

The cards are numbered from 1-10. In addition (or subtraction), each card also has a number, from 1-3, in the corner. That number is added or subtracted, at the player's discretion, from the main number, which determines what number card can be played next. So, if the top card is a 7 and the small number is a 2, the next card can be either a 5 (7-2) or a 9 (7+2).

The cards are also color-coded, to help direct your attention to the added (or subtracted) value - all plus-or-minus 1 cards being green, plus-or-minus 2 cards blue, plus-or-minus 3, red.

No turns are taken. Players simply draw cards from their face down pile, one at a time, if they can play a card, they announce the number and place it on top of the center pile, if not, they draw another card until they have found a playable card or someone else has. In the latter event, they must now look for a new match. The first player to get rid of all but one of her cards wins.

So it's like Spit - players playing simultaneously, as quickly as possible, trying everso assiduously to be the first to find the next playable card. And yet, it's not quite Spit. Not with there only being one pile, and the challenge of having to add or subtract in order to calculate what card is actually the next match. And then, say, you throw a 9, with a plus or minus, say, 2. Well, if you subtract 2, it's simple enough - you can match it with a 7. But if you don't have a 7, and you're fast enough, you can add the 2, which, arithmetically, would make 11, which is patently absurd since the highest card is a 10. If not for the "round the corner" rule, by which you can legitimately play a 1 (which, in a circular sequence, would be the next card). Similarly, if a 2, for example, is played, a 2 with a plus-or-minus 3, shall we say, you can play either a 4 or a 9. This logical bit of round-the-cornerness is wonderfully exasperating, making you have to think generally when you are least ready to.

Yes, yes, people will tell you that it's an educational game because it uses numbers and arithmetical operations, and yes, children who are weak in these particular skills will most definitely find themselves hovering on the other side of exasperation. But no matter how good you are with numbers, and how mature and experienced you are in the ways of life and games, you can easily find yourself succumbing to the speed and flexibility of an 8-year-old opponent. Yes, there is a modicum of luck involved - just the modicum needed to keep hope alive, keep the game fun, and make you want to play again and again.

[...]

After reading the directions, my pure math graduate student daughter insisted we play. "Just one round," she begged. Well, more than an hour later she had beaten us numerous times, we each had a chance to win once or twice, and we were hooked. Lest you think 7 Ate 9 is just an elementary-age math game, we beg to differ.

The game is easy enough. 73 cards are numbered 1 through 10, each with a +/- 1, 2 or 3. When a card is played, you must follow the directions to play the next card. So if the first card played is a 6 +/- 3, you can play a 3 or a 9 card. The trick comes when you have a card near 10 or 1... the math is what mathematicians call "modulo (10)." Fear not, it's simpler than it sounds. What it means is, when you reach 10 (going up) or 1 (going down) you roll around to the other end of the scale. So if the last card played is a 9 +/- 2, then you can play a 7 or a 1 card.

Even my description sounds boring, or if you're not into math, possibly frightening. But 7 Ate 9 is neither boring nor frightening. All I can say is, Try It! You'll love it!

As an Educational Therapist I am always looking for games that are educational which can also help a particular student with their personal challenges.

7 ATE 9 addresses the + and - of numbers 1 to 3 in a game that gets faster as the student progresses with skill and confidence.

I bought this product as a game to play with the students I tutor in math. I play this game with them before we start our session and I use it as a way to get them thinking math. It's a game for up to 4 players, so if the parents and/or siblings are around we offer for them to play. Everyone loves it, and the parents are always excited for me to come so that they can play the game again too! This game is a huge success even with the kids I babysit as well, and it even teaches them to recognize numbers that go with one another... in a way like modulo arithmetic. Definite do again!

A great way to practice your simple math skills. Wonderful interactive method to help your child with polishing up on math without the prodding and nagging to practice their math. Quick, fun and exciting.. I enjoy playing it over and over with my daughter... she enjoyed the interactive play and beating mom to the punch...

This game is fast and it makes you think. You are constantly adding and subtracting based on the last card played so you can play a card before anyone else. With two players, it is fast. With 4? Sheer madness! Fun, educational, and a game you can dial it down for younger players to make it fun for them. We have a great time with this game.

This card game is another winner from Out of the Box! College aged son scoffed at the idea, but once I beat HIM, he was hooked. Easy to learn, fast paced, fun!

Yes, it may look "educational" but dont be fooled, 7 Ate 9 is fun for adults too! My friends and I love to compete in the speed games and this is our favorite of the genre-- and we are all around 30 years old! Its easy too learn, but definitely keeps its long term appeal even after many rounds!

This game is a super fast-action, slap happy type of game with a great unique and educational engine. It's just adding and subtracting 1s, 2s, and 3s but it's super fun...you'll be pleasantly surprised. We love it with 2, 3 or 4 and there are ways to modify for mixed age groups and mixed abilities.

Got this game for my 7 yr old daughter because she wanted a math game. She loves it! I was afraid she would be turned of by the fact that it was "fast" math, but she loves the challenge. I would definitely recommend this game for a child who enjoys math and needs/wants the practice. It's also fun for the adults....makes you have to think quick!