Four in a Row

Ages: 5 years old and up
Number of players: 2
Materials: Deck of cards
Skill Practice: Spatial planning, strategy

Goal: To get 4 cards of the same color in a row.  The row can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Set up:

1. Dealer separates the deck into a pile of red cards and a pile of black cards
2. One player selects to be the red color, the other player chooses to be the black color

Rules for play:

1. The player, who chooses the red color, goes first.
2. The player with the red cards, places 1 card on the table.
3. The player with the black cards places a card next to the red card.  The card must touch the previously played red card on the top, sides, bottom, or on one of the corners.
4. Play continues with players alternating placing cards that touched the card previously played.
5. The player who gets four cards of the chosen color in a row wins.