Get your students pumped for number fun with the Place Value Playoff Game! This fast-paced, basketball-themed game challenges students to build the biggest number they can using randomly selected digit cards - making place value practice both competitive and engaging.

Whether you're working with two-digit or three-digit numbers, this flexible game adapts to your learners’ needs. Students pull out basketball cards and arrange them on the gameboard to create the largest number possible. It’s an ideal way to consolidate understanding of place value, digit positioning, and number comparison - all while shooting for the win!

The Place Value Playoff Game includes everything you need to get started: a full-colour basketball court gameboard, digit cards with a sporty design, and an easy-to-follow instruction sheet. Use it during numeracy rotations, for small group revision, or even as a warm-up game to energise your maths block.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and compare two- and three-digit numbers
• ✅ Develop strategic thinking about place value positioning
• ✅ Practise building the largest possible number from given digits
• ✅ Reinforce number order, value, and magnitude concepts
• ✅ Engage students through movement, competition, and play

What’s Included:

• 1 basketball court gameboard (full colour)
• Digit cards (0–9 basketball-themed)
• Instruction sheet with clear steps for gameplay

Materials Needed:

• Printed and cut basketball digit cards
• Printed gameboard (laminated for durability)
• Optional counters or mini basketball tokens for gameplay
• Ziplock bags or containers for storage

How to Use:

1. Print and prepare the gameboard and digit cards. Laminate for extra durability if desired.
2. Decide whether you’ll be working with two-digit or three-digit numbers.
3. Each player draws digit cards randomly and arranges them on the court to make the biggest number possible.
4. Compare numbers to determine the winner of each round.
5. Repeat as many rounds as you like - first to five wins, or rotate teams for group play.
6. Pack away easily using a labelled folder or tub for repeated classroom use.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use in numeracy rotations as a hands-on game for pairs or small groups.
• 💡 Introduce it as a warm-up game before teaching new place value concepts.
• 💡 Play a class tournament with teams and keep score on the whiteboard.
• 💡 Extend the challenge by requiring players to create the smallest number instead.
• 💡 Use it as a formative assessment - observe how students position digits to maximise value.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print the digit cards on coloured card to avoid using colour ink while keeping it vibrant.
• 💛 Store each game set in a zip wallet or plastic sleeve for quick grab-and-go setup.
• 💛 Encourage students to explain why their number is larger to reinforce reasoning and comparison.

The Place Value Playoff Game delivers high-energy maths fun while building essential number skills - perfect for competitive learners and sports fans alike!