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Good Board Games for Math Majors

Those who are talented and interested enough in math to major in the subject may also be very skilled in games that use mathematical concepts and logic. Some of these games are complicated and may be difficult for people who are not into math, but others are of interest to a wide range of people.

Numble
- While Scrabble forms words, Numble uses numbers.
  
  Numble, a number game played similarly to Scrabble, was published in 1965 by Selchow and Righter. The game involves basic math and strategy as it features plays of number tiles, in ascending or descending sequence, that add up to a number divisible by 3. The board has double- and triple-number and sequence spaces, with a 10-point bonus for using the entire rack of numbers.
Chess
- A successful chess player thinks several moves ahead.
  
  As math involves logic and strategy to solve problems, chess can be a satisfying game for a math major. The chess player must plan his offensive moves while also positioning his own pieces strategically on the board to keep the king well-protected. A successful chess player thinks several moves ahead.
Classic Financial Games
- Games in which players manage money may be of interest to a math major. In the classic Monopoly game, players buy properties and amass money. Life, Careers and Payday takes players around the board as they go through a simulation of life, including career paths. Players simulate buying and selling stocks with the Stock Market Game; Acquire; and Stocks and Bonds.
Other Games
- Sudoku puzzles range from easy to very difficult.
  
  Many party games and card games also may appeal to a math major. Set requires quick reflexes as players grab sets of three cards with pictures that are either all the same or all different in color, shape and number. Set has won 29 Best Game awards since 1991. Other math-related games include Rack-O, Think Fun Math Dice and Mastermind. Sudoku, Cross Sums, Kakuro games and logic puzzles appear in puzzle magazines and newspapers.

Board Games