Sticks Game - A strategy game for KS2

A game for two players

Put a pile of sticks or counters on the table.

Basic Game

Each player takes it in turn to remove 1 to 5 sticks.

The player who takes the last stick is the winner.

Questions to Ask

Is there a winning strategy for either player? If so, what is it?

Variations

Place a different number of sticks  in the pile?

Change the number of sticks that can be picked up? Say from 1 to 3 sticks.

The player who has to pick up the last stick is the loser.

Put down sticks to an agreed number - say 40 - The winner is the person who picks up the 40th stick. This number could be chosen by one player before the game starts.

Can the children think of any more variations to the rules?

Can they work out the strategies needed for each variation.