Change Up
A simple line-up initiative using a deck of cards.
At A Glance
A group attempts to form a line as quickly as possible according to the numerical sequence of the playing card each person is holding.
What You Need
- Regular deck of cards
- Stop-watch
- 15 – 30 minutes
What To Do
This initiative has become one of my latest favourites because it’s so simple, and always provides plenty of opportunity for discussion at the end.
Start by randomly distributing one card (face-down) from a regular deck of cards to each person in the group. Ask people not to look at their card, or show it to another person.
Explain that you will issue two loud commands for each of several rounds – GO, and STOP.
On “GO,” you invite everyone to turn their card over (for the first time) and then as quickly as possible, form one straight line according to the numerical order of the cards, aces high. That is, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace – regardless of suits, so if three people were holding 7′s, it would not matter in what order they stood provided they all lined up between the 6′s and 8′s. Using a stop-watch, your job is to time how long this process takes.
Between each round, the group is entitled to pool their creative resources and try to think of ways to improve their time. When the group is prepared to be timed again, explain that you want all cards turned face down again, and then with a simple one-for-one swap, invite everyone to mingle and make as many trades as posible… until you say “STOP.” At this point, without turning the cards over, invite the group to do whatever it needs to do to be ready for the next command… “GO” which means the clock starts ticking again.
Hint, be sure to focus the group’s efforts on solving the “timing” problem, and not the method in which the cards are “randomly” distributed between each round.
Good solutions not only feature good problem-solving and decision-making skills, but also an emphasis on systems and creativity.
Variations
- Same as above, yet explain the criterion of success is the alphabetical order of the cards (not numerical). You will literally hear the cogs grinding in people’s heads as they grapple with this change. So, now, suits do matter (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades – in that order) when two or more of the same card value occur. For example, the 3′s will now necessarly sit between the 6′s and the 2′s (… six, three, two …)
- Use a bunch of coins, and distribute as above, with the goal of forming a line according to the order of their year of manufacture, eg 1978, 1982, 1983, 1991…
If you know of a cool variation to this exercise, please add a comment…
Comments
6 Comments on Change Up
- Kathy on Wed, 20th Apr 2011 10:37 am
In your example, the 3s (threes) would be between the 6s (sixes) and the 2s (twos). Not 6-2-3 but 6-3-2.
six
three
two
- Mark Collard on Wed, 20th Apr 2011 11:28 am
Kathy, you are so right – I stand corrected, and the text above has been amended – thanks for pointing out my poor spelling 
- Max on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 10:31 am
Dear Mark
Thanks for all the idea shared.
What is the key learning on this activitiy. “Change up”
- Mark Collard on Wed, 10th Aug 2011 10:36 am
Like many group intiatives, there are many useful benefits to this exercise – decision making, problem-solving and leadership are probably three of the keys. In addition, goal setting always comes up. Glad to hear that you’re enjoying the ideas….
- Amy on Tue, 31st Jan 2012 8:23 am
My class came up with the idea of taking two cards, without looking at them, hold them to your forehead. The cards must be added together, and then find your place in line from least to greatest. This really allowed one person to take the lead role of making sure everyone was in the right spot. Then the lead person had to initiate with someone else to figure out where they should stand.
- Mark Collard on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 11:42 am
Amy, this is a such a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I’ll think to try this out next week. This is also a great variation of the classic Mute Line Up activity.
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