Bean Counter: A Game

Bean Counter
What professional person is called a bean counter?

Directions for two to four players

You will need to assemble:

One pencil
One piece of paper
1 die
Small beans
Large beans

Each player gets nine large beans and ten small beans. Each large bean counts as ten small beans.

One player acts as banker or head bean counter. In case of dispute over the banker's role, roll the die. Top roll wins. In case of tie, roll again.

The banker's purpose is to give players ten small beans in exchange for one large bean when that is needed. The banker also keeps a tally of how many turns each player has taken.

The goal is to come as close as possible to having no beans without actually running out of beans.

A game consists of seven turns for each player.

Each player takes a turn rolling the die. The player looks at the die and has two choices. He/she can give the banker the number of small beans on the die, or the number of large beans on the die.

The game continues until each player has had seven turns or has no more beans and is out.

After seven turns, the players who are not out, trade any large beans they have left with the banker for ten small beans. The person with the least number of small beans wins.

The winner is the next banker or head bean counter.

Example: if you roll , you would give the banker six large beans or six small beans.

However, if you rolled , you would only give the banker one large bean or one small bean.

Remember, the object is to get as close to no small beans as possible but you must trade each large bean for a ten small beans at the end of the seven turns.

What else could you use for this game instead of large beans and small beans?

An accountant is sometimes called a bean counter.

Return to Kids Do Directory