Rival 5 ~ The Number Strategy Game is a simple, fun number game for 2-6 players. Basically, the game board contains numbers from between 0 to 144 but does not contain every number. Two outer sides contain all 0’s while the other two outer sides are the multiples of 12 up to 144. The next inner two side rows are single digits 1-11 while the opposite two side rows are counting by 11’s starting at 22-121. The next inner rows count by 2’s and by 3’s. And it continues in various patterns until you get to the middle.

The object of the game is to get 5 chips in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Each player selects the color of chip that they will play with. There are 3 dice and the player roll all three dice. The player then adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides to reach a number that is on the game board. For example, let’s say you roll a 5, 9, and 2. You could do the following:

• 5 x 9 - 2 = 43
• 5 + 9 + 2 = 16
• 9 – 5 – 2 = 2

Of course, you want to try and block your opponent from getting 5 in a row. There are four levels of play also known as Progressive Skill Builder:

• Introductory: Play the entire board 
• Basic: Play within Blue lines
• Intermediate: Play within Green lines
• Advanced: Play within Red lines

The game board has visible colored lines so that you know exactly where you need to remain in order to play the different levels.

This game retails for $39.99.

This game would be perfect for a school or home setting. My 5^th grade daughter does not particularly like math. I thought that this would be a fun way for her to practice her math facts. The suggested age for Rival 5 is 9 to 99. I really found this quite likable. Why, you may ask? We all need to keep our brains sharp. This game requires one to strategize and calculate numbers.

The first time I played this game with my daughter I held my breath thinking that she was going to realize that it was MATH and she was not going to want to play. Well I was totally wrong! She loved it! I found myself trying to help a couple of times only to be hushed and told, “Mom, I got this. Leave me alone.” The first game she won. I didn’t try and let her win either. She couldn’t wait to play again. Wow, crazy! That is definitely music to an educator’s and mother’s ears. This game would be perfect for the student that really needs a creative and fun way to practice their math facts. For the classroom setting Rival 5 would be great for center time or for students to play after school work has been completed and there is free time.

-Jennifer Ladewig, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November, 2018