Pressure Play Too (only with Playing Cards)

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(NOTE: Pressure Play Too, was written up for the first time in my book, Portable Teambuilding Activities. In the original version I use a few props, as shown in the diagram above - I needed some sort of image to catch your eye. In this version I want to let you know how to play using only playing cards.) 

Here's why I really like this activity. Using only a deck of playing cards (of any size), I can run this one with 16 to 56 players (However, I have yet to have 56 players to try this with.) It's also a very adaptable activity. I can play it with an even or odd number of participants in a small (or large) space. I can have two, three or four small groups playing at one time - all interacting with each other. This versatility leads to (Facilitated Objective) discussions around focus, planning, resource management, anticipation, collaboration, mental models and innovation. 

Card Set Up: First you need to prep your cards. Order them from Aces to Kings - it doesn't matter how you order the suits. Aces will be on top of your deck. 

Play Set Up: Ask four volunteers to stand in the center of your playing area and touch right shoes together - four sets of toes touching each other. Now, deal out the cards (Aces first), to all the other players - one card each. (The toe-touching players do not get a card.) Ask the players not to look at the face of their card until you direct them to do so. 

Let's Play: (For this description there will be four suits in play and 24 players)

• Ask the players with a card to walk around throughout the group and exchange cards with five different people - this is called the "Blind Shuffle". (The toes-together players do not get cards - yet.
  
• Players are asked to not look at the faces of the cards until they are instructed to do so. 
• As the card exchanges are happening, ask the players touching toes together to decide what suit of cards they each will represent - each toe-touching player will represent a different suit. (Clubs, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds)
• After five card exchanges players are required to stop right where they are after this last exchange. 
• Players are allowed to exchange cards with others after they have stopped moving - you can exchange more than five times, but must stop moving after five exchanges. (This is a bit confusing for some people, so you might need to make sure this is clear before moving on.)
• Once everyone has stopped (still, no looking at cards), the toe-touching players each reveal what suit they represent. 
• When the facilitator says, "GO" s/he will start a stopwatch. At this time players can look at the card they are holding. 
• ​The toe-touching players will each go out into the crowd and move to the Ace of the suit they represent. When they find the card they take it from the person holding it and stand in place.
• IMPORTANT RULE: You can only move if you DON'T have a card in your hand. In other words, if you have a card in your hand, you CAN'T move.
• The players that were holding the Aces go off to find the twos of their suit and take it from the people holding them. These cardless players go off to find the threes of their suit and so on until the highest number is reached. 
• The players holding the highest number of their suit then move to the middle of the playing area to join toes together. 
• When there are four toes touching in the center of the playing area (players without cards), the time stops. 

The Let's Play rules above are for one round of play. After a round you can share the time the whole group achieved and then lead some discussion over the topics related to your group's program objectives (some Facilitated Objectives are listed above). Consider talking about how the group defines success. Will they want a better "time" (product), a better process, or both? 

Another reason I really like this activity. You are already set to start the next round. After your processing discussions you have your four toe-touching players in the center from the last round (if they have untouched, have them re-touch their toes). The players with cards hold the card faces down towards the ground and begin the Blind Shuffle (exchanges). After five exchanges with five different players they stop moving. Ready to play!

Facilitation Note: Your group is free to plan their process before each round if they ask you for time. Keep an open mind with possible processes. If they are playing "by the rules" I let them run with their ideas. For me, three or four rounds have led to some great discussions. 

Adaptations: If I have 16 to 18 players I use two suits. If I have 19 to 23 players I use three suits. 

Let me know how this one goes for you. Leave a Comment below. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.