Customer Reviews

Pressman Smath

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This game is a lot like Scrabble, only you use numbers to make math equations rather than using letters to make words. It can be played on different levels; for instance, for younger children you can eliminate the division signs or brackets to make it easier. Just like Scrabble, the harder-to-use numbers and signs have higher point values, and there are bonus squares on the board that can also increase the point value of a single tile or the whole equation. Players add on to existing equations on the board. There are enough angles to the game to keep it interesting. Towards the end, the game gets more frustrating as there are few spaces left on the board to fit equations in. If you like Scrabble and math, you'll enjoy this game. It is also a fun and social way to help kids practice their math skills.

I realize some people find anything educational boring but come on... Don't blame the educational game for being exactly what it claims to be -- AN EDUCATIONAL GAME!

My kids and I both enhanced our thinking skills while spending hours around the game table playing Smath. We laughed, and we learned, while challenging ourselves and each other!

One reviewer claims the variety of plays is 'small' but I would challenge that reviewer to play again and open their mind to the endless possibilities of lengthening their equations and challenging their mind.

I played the game with three children ages 8 to 14 (two females and one male) and each of them had a blast.

This is a child's game that can challenge adults as well. What better way to bring the whole family together for some educational playtime where NO ONE need be bored.

For ANY Individual that needs to brush up on their basic math and/or logic skills and/or just enjoys a new challenge -- Smath is worth it!

This game is so much fun once you get the hang of it.It helps students like me get quicker at their basic math facts. One of my subs. at school got it for us to plat as a reward and it was fun and challanging. it is agood toy for all students from k-7 grade.

I purchased this game for my family and we enjoy it very much. We play with our 7 year-old son and he loves the game, sure he seldom makes it to the end of a game, but in the age of video game junkies getting him to sit down and play with math for 20 minutes is a miracle. I love how you can adjust the level of play by leaving out the multiplication, division and parenthesis for your younger players. The only complaint I have is that the rules state that you cannot combine tiles to make 2 digit numbers, making the largest number possible 12. We just instituted "House Rules" and that took care of that problem. This game is more durable than a very similar game that is twice as expensive. I love this game, and for someone who enjoys formulating equations rather than forming words, this beats Scrabble hands down.

I remember playing this as a teenager. For a while, I mercilessly beat my younger siblings and yearned for a challenge. I thought it was one of the most simplest games made. One boring Saturday, my dad pulled out the game and we commenced playing. Dad and I battled, barely keeping ahead of the other. After 3 hours of brackets and numbers, we tried to goad each other into giving up and tried to trip the other up. I eventually won. It came with a cost however: Both of us had excruciating headaches. Funny thing is school math became easier. My Father still groans when he hears the word "Smath". From a Female Chemistry Graduate (requires a lot of math).

To A Toy Enthusiast from Iowa:
How can you be college educated and not understand this game? I don't understand.

I am writing to Pressman and asking them to make 'SCalculus and 'SGeometry... that would be fun.

'Smath is fun for all ages, not just 6-12 year olds. It is extremely durable, I've had mine for about 15 years or so, and I still love to play, and it's held up.

I realize there is some conflict of opinion in regards to 'Smath, and I just thought I'd share my thoughts on this game (instead of asking my boss for work since I have nothing to do right now). A few of my fellow civil engineering students and I came upon this game at a flea market-style event inside a Brooklyn concrete park about a month ago, and we were surprised that a mathematical version of Scrabble existed. More than surprised, we were excited. The lady sold it to us for $3, and we proceeded to find another park with grass (astroturf, actually, but whatever) where we sat down and played. We opened it up and found it to be in excellent condition. The only thing missing was a bag to keep the tiles in, but aside from that, everything was in working order. I guess that supports the comments on this board game's durability.

As for the game itself, I found it to be very enjoyable, if not challenging. The parentheses tiles definitely make it worthwhile, too, allowing for some creativity. I haven't played with any children (only 20 year olds), so I can't comment on its usefulness in education, but it did spark some interesting debates (specifically whether or not you can divide zero by zero; you can't). The lack of numbers greater than 12 is a bit bothersome, but as mentioned in another review, house rules can be set to ease that problem. The rules also are a bit vague when it comes to the bonus point tiles.

All in all, though, a great buy considering it was only $3. Even at $10, this can be well worth your purchase, especially if you're an engineer.

Plus, it's just fun to say: 'SMATH 'SMATH 'SMATH 'SMATH

Scrabble is endlessly interesting, because it just keeps
getting more advanced as your abilities increase. The
same is not true of 'Smath. The number of different
operations is necessarily very limited, so the challenge
is not very interesting. I'd recommend this game for a
classroom, where many kids can enjoy it once or twice,
but not for playing for fun.

OK, I'm accually 18 using this Kiddy review cause its free, but still, to any college educated person how could you not like this game. I mean come-on people, I've been in some college classes where the students still play this awesome game. It is a challenge to race the younger math wizs in filling out the board. My GED class complains about the speed at which opportunity to make an equation is quickly decreasing, we still love it.

We bought this for my daughter to help her practice her math skills, and she really enjoys it...in spite of the fact that it makes your brain work hard. My husband and I enjoy it as well. We started off with simple equations and quickly the challenge became to create the longest, most complicated equation possible. We were concerned that only small numbers are available and that the rules do not allow for combining numbers, but we find that those limitations create a greater challenge.