When you're ready, try one of the following game variations and scoring systems:

1.0 "Pizza Pie-thagoreans" (Pythagonrean's)

Reserve four- and five-card combinations for beginners. Handicap experienced players by forcing them to make only six- or seven-card pizza combinations.

The faster you complete a game, the higher you score. First deal the cards then only when all players are ready, start the clock. For example:

	Win in three minutes or less, score 5 points for each card in a winning pizza.
	Win in three to five minutes, score 3 points for each card in a winning pizza.
	Over five minutes, score 1 point for each card in a winning pizza.

Agree a playing period or final winning score in advance of play:

All players start with 25 points each Winners score one point for each card in a winning pizza (game) Losers deduct six points (one penalty point per card in hand) Drop out when your individual score falls to zero Keep playing until the winner reaches an agreed score (say 50 points), or for an agreed playing time (say one hour), or until there is only one player left.

Score one point for each card in every whole pizza combination.

Score 15 points with two one-third, one one-sixth and three one-twelfth cards.

Make three 5-point pizza combinations using only two one-twelfths at a time.

Or make twelve 5-card pizzas and score 60 points with a joker as your 7th card:

	2 x one-third + One-sixth + 2 x one-twelfth = 3 combinations (3 x 5 = 15)
	One-third + Joker + One-sixth + 2 x one-twelfth = 6 combinations (6 x 5 = 30)
	2 x one-third + One-sixth + One-twelfth + Joker = 3 combinations (3 x 5 = 15)

Note: You could try to claim three more combinations (3 x 5 = 15 more points) if you replace the one-sixth card by the joker: 2 x one-third + Joker + 2 x one-twelfth. However a joker may only be used to replicate cards within the winning combination -- unless all players agree otherwise in advance of play.

Make one 5-point pizza from two one-fourth, one-third and two one-twelfth cards.

Add one Joker to score 25 points with five unique 5-point pizzas, as follows:

	2 x 1/4 + 1/3 + 2 x 1/12 = 1 natural combination (1 pizza x 5 points = 5 points)
	1 x 1/4 + Joker + 1/3 + 2 x 1/12 = 2 combinations (2 x 5 = 10 points)
	2 x 1/4 + 1/3 + 1 x 1/12 + Joker = 2 combinations (2 x 5 = 10 points)

Add the second Joker as your 7^th card to score 65 points with 13 x 5-point pizzas:

	2 x 1/4 + 1/3 + 2 x 1/12 = 1 combination (1 pizza x 5 points = 5 points)
	1 x 1/4 + Joker + 1/3 + 2 x 1/12 = 4 combinations (4 x 5 = 20 points)
	2 x 1/4 + 1/3 + 1 x 1/12 + Joker = 4 combinations (4 x 5 = 20 points)
	1 x 1/4 + Joker + 1/3 + 1 x 1/12 + Joker = 4 combination (4 x 5 = 20 points)

Even if you hold both jokers you may still not score, e.g., two Jokers, two one-twelfth and two one-twentieth cards. You need at least one whole pizza to score.

Make high scores by skillfully combining pizza cards together into several unique winning combinations, then use Jokers to increase your combinations.

You can make Pizza Pursuit scoring as easy or as complex as you want. Be sure the point score schedule is understood by all players before each game. Write down the scores. Ideally use a calculator to avoid errors and / or disputes.

This is great for individual learning and challenge. Experiment by making whole pizzas, with and without using Jokers. For example, in how many unique ways can you make a whole Pepperoni pizza? (Trivia: there are 1,647 ways to make a whole pepperoni pizza, 253 ways without jokers and 1,394 ways using jokers).

Mix it up and challenge yourself. Start with percentages only, say. When you’re proficient in percentages, move on to decimals and so on.

This variation is easier for beginners and may appeal to advance players also playing against the clock. Combine pizza cards of any topping to make whole combo pizzas quickly. For example, combine two one-quarter cheese slices with one one-third slice of sausage and one one-sixth-veggie slice.

7.0 Pizza Party 

Make as many different whole pizzas within an agreed time, say 30 minutes. The player with the most pizzas at the end of the agreed time period is the winner.

7.1 Pizza Party -- for Two or Three Players

Deal six cards to each player and play as usual. However, instead of ending the game when one player lays down a winning hand, keep playing and making as many pizzas as you can in the allotted time.

Lay down a whole pizza face up on the playing surface during your turn and then draw a replacement card from the stock for each card used in making this pizza. End your turn as usual with your discard and with six cards still in hand.

When the stock runs out, turn the discard pile over to form a new stock.

Stop play at the agreed time limit -- or earlier, if you use up all cards. The player with the most complete pizzas is the winner.

In this variation you may lay down a complete pizza during your turn or add to your existing pizzas to increase the number of complete combinations. At the end of the game, score one point for each card in every complete pizza combination.

7.3 Tag Team Pizza Party

Players compete against each other in two teams of two or three players facing each other on opposite sides of the play area. Team members share one hand of eight cards. Take turns in using the calculator, strategizing or making the play.

Play regular Pizza Party and count whole pizzas once only or play combination point scores for a more exciting and interactive game. Normal rules apply.

This is a game for two players or two teams. The object of the game is to be the first player or team to use all of their cards, or make the most tricks during an agreed playing period, say 30 minutes. Deal ten cards to each player or team and place the remaining cards face down to form a stack. Cut for lead.

The lead player starts by playing one card face up on the playing surface. The other player must try to match the card (value and topping) from within their hand with an exact card match or a combination of cards that total the lead card.

When a match is made the winner collects and stacks the matching cards face down. The lead changes and the winner plays the next lead card from their hand.

If you can’t match or equal the lead card, draw another card from the stack and add it to your hand. If so, the lead player returns the unmatched card to their hand, retains the lead and continues by playing another card from their hand.

The winner is the first player to become empty handed either by leading their final card or by matching the opponent’s lead with their last card or cards.

If not, play continues in like fashion until the agreed time limit has been reached. If so the winner is the player with the largest number of tricks.

You can use the Pizza Pursuit card deck to play a version of Rummy!

Objective: Be the first player to get rid of all of your cards by melding, laying-off and by discarding during your turn.

Melding: group three or more matching cards face up on the playing surface:

Sets of equal rank, e.g. three one-sixth-pizza cards. You may use cards of any topping, e.g. two cheese and one one-sixth veggie pizza cards.

Sequences or runs of three or more cards in consecutive ranking order of the same topping, e.g., one-fourth, one-fifth and one-sixth veggie

Laying-off: add one or more cards to your or your opponents' existing melds.

Discard one card to end your turn; place it on top of the discard pile.

Deal: Remove jokers and use only the 52 pizza cards. Deal ten cards each for two players, seven cards each for three or four players and six cards when five or six play. Place the stock face down; turn over the top card to form a discard pile.

Play: Look at and sort your cards into toppings (cheese, etc.) and sets of the same rank, e.g. one-sixth. Player to left of dealer starts. Draw a new card from the top of the discard pile or from the stock; add it to your hand, meld or lay-off cards as desired before ending your turn with a discard.

Winner: the winner is the first person to dispose of all of their cards with or without a final discard. Play ceases -- no further melds or layoffs are permitted.

Scoring: The winner scores one point for all un-played cards held by all other players -- even cards that could have been melded. For a higher scoring and potentially more exciting game, the percentage-point-value of each un-played card is added to the winner's scorecard -- a one-fourth card scores 25, etc.

10.0

Here are some more challenging memory and math variations of the 'Pizza Pairs' children's game. Agree rules of play first.

10.1 Half-Pizza!

Take turns to turnover four cards at a time. Collect single-topping or combo half pizzas in any combination, e.g. two quarters, or one one-third and one one-sixth. Replace all unmatched cards face down. The player with the most half pizzas at the end is the winner.

10.2 Whole-Dish!

Use the whole deck and turnover six cards at a time! Collect whole single-topping or combo pizzas using 4, 5 or 6 cards. Replace all unmatched cards face down. The player with the most whole pizzas at the end is the winner.

11.0 Gambling games

You could use the pizza cards to play Pizza Pursuit versions of many popular gambling games like Poker or Brag. Just be sure all players understand the rules before play commences. To avoid disputes, you're advised to write down the agreed rules and make them readily available for easy reference during play.

Always play the games that interest and involve your kids. Don't make it like a lesson. Remember to make it fun then learning will start semi-automatically.

I wish you and yours countless hours of fun and learning. Enjoy!