Element Poker not only features 52 key elements from the periodic table, but players will learn the relationships between them in order to make pairs and win at the game. This is your chance to play poker and learn about the elements at the same time on beautiful high-quality linen cards. The elements included in the game are in color on the periodic table in the image. See the Ideas for Evolution: the Beginning in Class (PDF) below for more details about the number of players for your learning environment, length of time for various activities, and appropriate grade-level activities. Browse-Before-You-Buy EduGamer Resources*! Ideas for using Element Poker in class! (PDF) Overview of standards and vocabulary for Element Poker! (PDF) Downloadable Resources Included after purchasing Element Poker! Classroom Resources: Element Poker - Teacher and Student How to Play Handout: Game Set Up & Gameplay Groups/Stations Activity (PDF) Element Poker- Lesson Plan (PDF) Element Poker - Periodic Practice Handout (PDF) Element Poker - Comprehension Handout (PDF) Element Poker - ANSWER KEY Comprehension Handout (PDF) All of our games resources include our "Let the Dice Roll" Supplemental Questions Activity (PDF) Homeschool Resources Element Poker - At-Home Learning Guide (PDF) Some materials included in the classroom resources can also be used for at-home learning *Resources available in other formats including Microsoft Word upon request. How to Play Playing Element Poker is not complicated. All of the typical hands in regular poker can be made in Element Poker too with some slight variations. Groups The 52 Elements in the game are in 13 groups identified based on their common characteristics or uses. These groups are indicated on the reference cards below with the 13 orange icons. Making a Pair In order to make a pair (or three or four of a kind) in Element Poker, you must match the groups in the upper left. For example, hydrogen and carbon make a pair because they both have the heart icon in the upper left and are therefore both essential elements for human life. Making a Flush To make a flush, you must match the card color for five elements. Elements are either blue (transition metals), red (representative metals), yellow (nonmetals), or green (oddballs). These five elements are all in blue since they're transition metals and therefore make a flush. Making a Straight The atomic number is also used in order to generate a straight. Since it's more difficult to get a straight in Element Poker than in regular poker, this hand is more valuable than a full house! These five elements are in atomic number order (11-15) and give the player a straight. The Atomic Straight Flush The ultimate hand in Element Poker is the very rare atomic straight flush! Match 5 elements of the same suit and in atomic number order and your hand can't be beat! The epic atomic straight flush! There are only a few ways to accomplish this in Element Poker. No Ties! Ties are annoying in general and are a lot rarer in Element Poker than in standard poker. If two people have the same hand (i.e. one pair), whoever has the card in their made hand with the highest atomic number wins. Plutonium is the highest element in the game and is therefore a valuable card to have.
