Card Games for Math

When I am tutoring math students, I often see that they don't have a firm grasp on some basic math operations.  Flash cards can make a student tune me out, but when I pull out a deck of cards-they perk right up.
There are so many ways you can play math games with a deck of cards.  My favorite one to play with a new student is Pyramid Solitaire.  The object of the game is to add two cards together to get 13.  You win when all the cards are gone.
As they are playing, watch them closely.  If a student only sees that 10 + 3 is 13 and not the others, the game will go slowly.  Look at their body language as well.  Are they counting on their fingers?  Tapping the table?  These are some tell, tell signs that they are uncomfortable with even the basics of addition. 
Playing this game teaches the student that numbers are flexible.  Other combinations of numbers can make up 13.  7 + 6, 8 + 5, etc.
Playing games like this at the beginning of a math tutoring session does a couple of thing.  It puts them at ease, builds their number sense, and increases their mathmatical problem solving skills.
Enjoy!
Adrianne