Handicap Scoring

If individuals with different abilities are playing against one another, consider giving appropriate handicap points to players who may be at a disadvantage due to inexperience of lack of math skills. Be sure to assign the handicap points at the beginning of the game so that the disadvantaged player starts out ahead and as the game progresses he/she gets into the competitive spirit forgetting about the handicap points. Families should consider this type of scoring when playing with younger children who are still maturing mathematically.

The Single Player

The single player can either strive for a high total score or strive for a high average score per turn. A very good single player can accumulate 1000 to 1200 total points and can average over 25 points per turn.

When computing the average score per turn, if the single player uses a turn to trade in tiles for new tiles, he/she must count this as a turn with 0 score. For example, suppose that the first three turns produce scores of 10, 20, and 6, and the fourth turn is used to trade in tiles, thus has 0 score. The average score for these four turns is 36 ÷ 4 = 9, not 36 ÷ 3 = 12. Because there were four turns, we must divide by 4.

Contact Conceptual Math Media on the status of the electronic versions of Equate that will greatly enhance the possibilities for a single player.