How to Play Buzz (Math Party Game)

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Learn to play this deceptively simple classroom counting game

Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: December 8, 2023 References

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Playing the Classic Buzz Game

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Playing Advanced Buzz

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Q&A

Buzz is a classic mathematics game that doesn't require any special equipment. To play buzz, all you need are 3 people who know how to multiply and who have some time. The classic Buzz game is fairly simple and best suited for younger children who are learning how to multiply. The more advanced version of Buzz should be played with teens or children who know their multiplication tables. We'll show you how to play both versions of this mental-math game to help you and your friends train your brains!

Things You Should Know

Number of Players: 3+
Object of the game: Count to a predetermined number while leaving out multiples of certain numbers.
Setup: Simply arrange your players in a circle and get ready to brush up on your math!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Playing the Classic Buzz Game

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Buzz requires teamwork to play and win. Ask friends or family members if they want to play and find a quiet place where you can start the game.^{[1]
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The goal of buzz is to count up to a certain number while following the rules. Each person piggybacks off the last and counts up from the number 1. For beginners, a goal of 22 or 29 is good.^{[2]
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Pick a person to start the game and start counting from the number 1. The person to the left of that person then says the number 2, and so on. Continue going around the circle until you reach the number 6.
A multiple of 7 is the product of any number multiplied by 7 and includes 7, 14, 21, 28, and so on. Instead of saying 7, the person after 6 has to say buzz or the game is over and everyone has to restart from the beginning.^{[3]
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Once you reach 7 and someone says buzz, continue the count, but in a counter-clockwise direction. Then, when you reach 14 and someone says buzz, change the direction again and count in a clockwise direction. Continue alternating each time someone says buzz.^{[4]
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If anyone in the team counts out of place or forgets to say buzz, the game should be restarted. Continue counting until you’ve reached the goal that you set at the beginning of the game.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Playing Advanced Buzz

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Buzz is a team game that requires 3 or more people to play. The more people that there are, the more challenging the game becomes.^{[6]
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Advanced buzz is more difficult to play than the traditional game, so you should set a more conservative goal like 14 or 15 when you first start playing. If you’re playing with people who have good math skills and feel confident, you can set a higher goal.^{[7]
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Choose a person to start the count and begin counting sequentially from the number 1. The person to the left of the person who started the count should say 2.^{[8]
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Instead of saying 3, the third person should say the word buzz. If they say 3 accidentally, then the game is over and should be restarted. Then, as you continue to count, any multiple of 3, such as 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and so on, should be replaced by the word buzz.^{[9]
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Continue counting sequentially but in the opposite direction each time the word buzz is said. This adds another element to the game that keeps players on their feet.^{[10]
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6
Replace any multiple of 7 with the word buzz. Instead of saying 7 or any multiple of 7, you should say buzz. Multiples of 7 include 7, 14, 21, 28, and is the product of any number multiplied by the number 7. After you say buzz to replace the number 7, the rotation of the count should change to the opposite direction.^{[11]
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- The count should be "1, 2, buzz, 3, 4, 5, buzz, buzz."
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Say buzz instead of saying numbers divisible by 11. Any 2-digit number that has the same numerals for both digits is divisible by 11. These numbers include 11, 22, 33, 44, and so on. You won’t come across as many numbers as you do with multiples of 3 or 7, but it will add another layer of difficulty to the game. Again, just like with the other numbers, saying buzz here should also change the direction of the count.^{[12]
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- In total players have to say buzz for multiples of 3, 7, and 11.
- The count therefore becomes "1, 2, buzz, 4, 5, buzz, buzz, 8, buzz, 10, buzz, buzz, 13, buzz, buzz, 16, 17, buzz, 19, 20, buzz, buzz, 23, buzz, 25, and so on."
Every time someone messes up, restart the game from the number 1 and start the count over. Continue restarting the game until you reach the pre-determined goal that you set at the beginning of the game.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Is it easy to play this game? It looks really hard to me.

Community Answer

Yes. It is easy, once you get the hang of it. Try to play with someone who already knows the game, so they can help you through the first time.

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