Student v Student – Numeracy Game

A partner dice game that looks fair but isn't. After playing, students discuss why totals of 5 to 9 almost always win, making it a hands-on introduction to probability.

1. 1Put students in pairs with two dice.
2. 2One student rolls; a total of 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 or 12 gives student A a point.
3. 3A total of 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 gives student B a point. The first to 10 points wins.
4. 4Ask: how many players with 5 to 9 won? Is the game fair? (5 to 9 has 24 ways to score, the others 12.)
5. 5Ask how they might change the game to make it fair.
6. 6After a second round, ask students to explain why 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 almost always win.

You need: Two dice