Preferably, a game would be played in an autonomous manner, with little supervision by a teacher or
other adult. However this may not always be possible,particularly when new ideas or playing formats
are introduced. Instructions need to be presented in a form and level matched to particular learners as
well as being true to the mathematical content. Discussion among players can be promoted by having
students play in pairs where one student determines a move while the other watches and judges the
appropriateness of the move, with the roles alternating from turn to turn. The manner in which the
mathematical reasoning underlying a move can be assessed also needs to be built in. For instance, a
game may be self-checking through the use of a built in code or solution sheet; one child might be
assigned to use a calculator to check each result withthe winner of the game taking this role for the next
round; or all children might complete the mathematics of each move and a consensus be required as to
whether a move is accepted.