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Many of the students I work with have switched off from maths. They often don’t see any real purpose for it in their lives. This is where games can make a huge difference.
Math games shift the focus away from “boring problems” and onto something much more motivating: winning the game.
One game that I absolutely love using with my students is Zeus on the Loose.
Zeus on the Loose is a card game that combines Greek mythology, strategy, stealing Zeus from other players, and addition to 100. It’s recommended for children aged 8 and up, but with a few small changes I’ve found that younger students can enjoy it too.
Want your own copy grab it here from Amazon.
What Is Zeus on the Loose?
Zeus on the Loose is a fast-paced math card game where players draw cards and add numbers together to reach 100.
However, there’s a twist.
Every time the total reaches a multiple of ten, the player gets to claim Zeus. The round continues until the total goes over 100, and the player holding Zeus at that moment wins the round.Instead of simply solving worksheets, students are constantly practising mental addition, counting on, and number bonds to 10 while playing.
How Zeus on the Loose Reinforces Math Skills
One thing I really like about this game is how naturally the math practice happens during play.
During each turn, players draw three cards and choose one to play on Mount Olympus (the centre pile). Instead of saying the number on the card, the player adds the value of their card to the current total and says the new total out loud.
For example, if Mount Olympus is at 43 and a player plays a 7, they don’t say “seven.” They say 50.
This simple rule encourages students to:
- Add onto the largest number
- Practise counting on
- Strengthen mental addition skills
Once Mount Olympus reaches 100, the round endsBut the winner isn’t the player who reaches 100. The winner is the player holding Zeus when that happens.
Practising Number Bonds to 10
Another clever part of the game is how it reinforces number bonds to 10.
Players can claim Zeus whenever Mount Olympus reaches a multiple of ten. Because of this, students quickly start noticing how numbers combine to reach the next ten.
Without even realising it, they begin thinking things like:
- “We’re on 56… I need 4 more to make 60.”
- “If I add 8, we’ll land on 70.”
These small moments of thinking are exactly what help build strong number sense.
Built-In Motivation: Spelling Zeus
The game also includes a fun competitive element that reminds me of the game Horse (or Master, depending on what you called it growing up). Each time a player wins a round, they earn the next letter in Z-E-U-S. The first person to spell the entire name wins the game. This means students get multiple rounds of practice, along with just enough competition to keep them engaged and excited. Often they don’t even realise how much maths they’re doing
How I Adapt Zeus on the Loose for Younger Students
Even though the game is recommended for ages 8 and up, I like adapting it slightly so younger students can join in as well.
Using a Hundreds Board
One change I make is using a hundreds chart and a counter.
The hundreds board becomes our Mount Olympus, and we move the counter along the board to keep track of the total. This helps younger players visualise the numbers as they increase.
Using the board allows students to practise:
- Reading numbers to 100
- Counting on
- Recognising number patterns
- Building number bonds to 10
Sometimes I’ll pause and ask questions like:
“We’re on 56. How many more do we need to make 60?”
These small prompts help students develop quick recognition of number relationships.
Removing the Special Cards
Another simple adjustment is removing the other god cards at the beginning.
This keeps the rules simpler for younger players. Once they’re comfortable with the gameplay, I slowly add the cards back in.
Free Printable to Use with Zeus on the Loose
Because I enjoy this game so much, I created a free printable add-on to use with it.
The printable includes:
- A hundreds chart
- A counter
- Letter cutouts to spell Z-E-U-S
I recommend laminating the letters and the counter so they last longer, but leaving the hundreds board unlaminated so everything can easily be stored inside the game box.
If you’d like a copy of the printable, simply join my email list and it will be sent straight to your inbox.
Where to Buy Zeus on the Loose
If you’d like to try the game yourself, you can learn more about it on the developer’s website or grab a copy here:
It’s a great addition to a family game collection and also works really well for math centres in the classroom.
If you’re looking for a way to bring a bit more fun into maths learning, this game is definitely worth trying.
