Another math game played in Japan is called Algo. It was created by members of Japan's Math Olympics Committee and other mathematicians. The game uses black and white cards with the numbers 0 through 11 printed on them, for a total of 24 cards altogether. The object is to figure out the values of the cards that are lying face-down. Even students in the lower grades of elementary school can play Algo, so it's a great way to teach kids how to get a feel for numbers. And playing against other people enables kids to improve their concentration and mathematical reasoning.

Some juku (private tutoring schools) have Algo clubs in which the game is included as part of the lessons. There's even a national competition among teams from different clubs. Algo classes have been started in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Thailand, and in the future it's hoped that the game will spread even further across the world.