PowerPoint presentation by Bendik S. Søvegjarto Concept, text, and rules by Skage Hansen

Level of difficulty: Degree of difficulty: Number of players: Number of cards: Purpose of the game: Extra euipment: 8 years and older. (The game assumes that the players have started learning about multiplication). Medium. The better the mental calculation (multiplication) skills are, the more often possibilities of combining cards will be seen The entire deck is used. Each player starts with six cards and a draw decides who starts the game. To get rid of the cards before the other players. Two hourglasses (1 min.) can be used for limiting the time used per round. Hourglasses can be ordered on

The first few times MultiMatch is played, it is a good idea to play with open cards. This is because the other players can assist you if you are not certain whether or not you are allowed to play a given card. For illustrational puposes, the cards of the discard pile has been placed edgewise. In actual play, it is better to place the cards in a lenghtwise direction. (Of course, the opponent would also place his cards facing in the opposite direction). Each player starts with six cards. In addition, one card is put (face up) next to the drawing pile at the centre of the table. This card is the start of the discard pile. Your cards are shown at the bottom of the page. The opponent sits at the opposite side of the table. In case of more than two players, additional sides of the table are used.

You examine your cards carefully and see that you can obtain 16 by myltiplying 2 with 8. You say: ”Two times eight equals 16” and put down the cards encircled below. It is up to you to decide which of the cards to put on top. Towards the end of the game, it is very important to think tactically with respect to which card should be put on top. On the table is currently a red card containing the numbers 16, 18, 24, and 36. (We ignore the large-size number seven at the top of the card). You shall now try to combine two cards using multiplication to obtain one of the four values above. NOTE! When combining, the large-size numbers at the top of the cards are used. If you are not able to combine two cards, you may put down a card having the same color as the card on top of the discard pile.

The two cards are played, with the red card containing the values 21, 2, 3, and 54 being on top.

The opponent also had several other options. He could have put down his red card, or the next rightmost card. The latter card is a special card (five such cards are found in the deck). A special card may always be played, and you may then ”change the color” to any given color, which the next player must resppect. Cards containing a bunch of bananas in the upper left corner may also be used as special cards (if a slightly simpler variant of the game is desired). The bananas then the game take the function of the eights in Crazy Eights. It is the opponent’s turn and he finds out that he is able to obtain one of the four values by combining two cards as shown above. He says:” Thre times seven equals 21”. NOTE. If one or more fellow players disagree with the calculation, discussion proceeds until agreement has been made. Therefore, it is important that the group is made up in such a way that at least one player possesses a certain level of skill in fractional arithmetics. Thus, he/she has an unformal supervisor role.

The opponent chose to put the purple card containing the values 18, 25, 24, and 1 on top.

You are becoming experienced in the game and quickly see that four multiplied by six equals 24. Therefore, you put down the cards encircled below.

A yellow card containing the values 48, 25, 45, and 21 is currently on top of the discard pile.

The opponent tries to see if it is possible to obtain one of the four values through multiplication. He tries 5 x 1 = 5, 5 x 4 = 20, and 4 x 1 = 4. There are 3 more options. However, since the order of the factors is insignificant, we cannot obtain any additional values by considering these options. The opponent also doesn’t hold any yellow card matching the current suit. Fortunately, he holds a special card with the text : ”All opponent players must draw two cards. He puts down this card and ”changes the current color” to blue.

The special card containing the values 36, 16, 56, and 45 is put down on the table. The opponent has ”changed the current color” to blue.

You have to draw two cards from the drawing pile on the table because the opponent played his special card.

Reviewing the possible combinations you find the following options (only half of the options are shown since the order of the factors is insignificant): 9 x 5 = 45, 9 x 3 = 27, 9 x 6 = 54, 5 x 3 = 15, 5 x 6 =3, and 3 x 6 =18. You were able to obtain 45 by combining ”purple 9” with ”green 5”. Consequently, you put down these cards.

The cards have been put down and you chose to place the green card containing the values 54, 18, 42, and 72 on top.

The opponent are not able to combine any two cards to obtain the ”correct” value. Therefore, he puts down his green card.

The green card containing the values 35, 8, 36, and 14 is put down on the table.

You immediately see that it is not possible to combine the two cards you hold, and therefore you put down your green card. As you put down the card, you announce: ”One card left!” If you forget to say these words and one or the other players calls attention to it, you have to draw two cards from the drawing pile on the table. NOTE. Remember that it is possible to put down your last two cards to win the game if you have luck with the values at the top of your cards (and possess good multiplication skills).

A green card containing the values 40, 28, 7, and 32 is put down on the table.

The opponent is not able to obtain any of these four values. He is only able to obtain the value 20. Consequently, he has to draw a card from the drawing pile on the table.

The opponent is becomoing an experienced player and immediately sees that he is able to obtain the value 40 by combining the above cards. He says:” 8 x 5 equals 40” and puts down the cards. At the same time, he announces: ”One card left!”.

The purple card containing the values 2, 9, 21, and 56 was put on top of the discard pile.

You draw a yellow card with the value 5. The only value you are able to obtain by combining cards is 15 (5 x 3 or 3 x 5). You still don’t hold any card having the ”correct” color. Consequently, you have to draw another card.

You drew a green card with the value 9. You are still unable to obtain one of the four values of the card on the table by combining two cards. Uyou say; ”pass” and the turn goes to the opponent. NOTE. It is only allowed to draw up to two cards each round.

The opponent only have a red card left, and since red isn’t the ”correct” color, he too has to draw cards from the drawing pile on the table.

He is lucky and draws a purple card which he puts down, announcing: ”One card left!”.

The purple card containing the values 27, 14, 20, and 3 is put down on the table.

NOTE. You must not forget to say the words: ”One card left!” You see that at last, you are again able to put down two cards. Combining the cards encircled below yields the value 27 (9 x 3 or 3 x 9). Therefore, you put down these cards placing the green card on top (you think you remember that the opponent holds a red card). That is, it is common that the players hide their cards from the opponents when they have two or less cards left. This increases the excitement!

A green card containing the values 4, 42, 5, and 24 is curently on top of the discard pile.

The opponent does not hold the ”correct” color and therefore has to draw a card from the drawing pile on the table.

The opponent is lucky and draws a ”four”. He says: ”six times four equals 24” and puts down both his cards. With that, he wins the game! Congratulations!

If there are two or more players left, the game can be continued until only one player remains. Often, however, it may be a good idea to begin a new game once a winner has been determined. At least, that will make sure all players get the most out of the game. (Alternatively, the winner of the game can assist a fellow player and so on until there is only one player left.)