How to Play Sim (The Pencil Game) with Your Kids

When it comes to battling boredom, nothing beats classic pencil and paper games! While it’s tempting to reach for our phones or binge-watch shows, let’s face it — that can get old quickly. Playing these traditional games is a fantastic way to not only entertain but also exercise your brain. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re stuck in a waiting room, on a family vacation, or just enjoying some downtime with your kids. Plus, they can be a fun way to deepen your connection with your partner. The best part? These games are free and require just a pen or pencil and some paper!

Most of us are familiar with classic games like Tic Tac Toe and Hangman, but let’s dive into the Sim game.

What is the Sim Game?

The Sim game, created in 1969 by Gustavus Simmons, a cryptographer, was first introduced in the Journal of Recreational Mathematics. This game is rooted in graph theory, which studies the relationships between points and lines (known as graphs). Get ready to create some graphs!

The game involves two players, each represented by a different color. Using a sheet of paper, the players will arrange six dots in a hexagonal formation. Players take turns drawing lines between the dots, and the goal is to avoid being the first to create a triangle of their color. There are a maximum of 15 moves allowed, and there are no ties — it’s all about winning and losing!

How to Play Sim

Playing Sim is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials Needed:

Paper
Two differently colored pens or pencils
Two players

Objective:

Make your opponent form a triangle in their color.

Instructions:

Arrange six dots on the paper in a hexagonal pattern. The dots represent vertices — the points where edges meet. For younger children, you can pre-draw possible lines with a pencil for tracing. Just remember that all lines must start and end on the vertices.
Decide who will go first.
The first player draws a line between any two vertices using their color.
The second player then does the same.
Continue taking turns until one player completes a triangle with all three sides in their color, resulting in their loss.

Winning Strategies in Sim

The Sim game is a strategic and mathematical challenge inspired by Ramsey’s Theory. Familiarizing yourself with this theory can give you a competitive edge. There are resources online that outline strategies for the second player, making it a bit more complex yet intriguing. For those looking to impress friends with math skills, there’s plenty of information available to help you dominate the game.

When playing, avoid hastily making a box. Many novice players do this, but seasoned competitors know how to set traps and outmaneuver their opponents by creating short chains that force longer moves from their rival.

Where to Play Sim Online

Looking for new opponents? You can enhance your skills online through various platforms.

Benefits of Playing Sim

This game is not just entertaining for children; it’s an excellent way to teach them about shapes and enhance their spatial reasoning and logical thinking. Play alongside your child and challenge them with questions like how many lines they think they can draw before forming a triangle. This engages their critical thinking and introduces them to geometric concepts.

Related Game: Charlie Charlie

If you enjoy the Sim game, you might like Charlie Charlie, a traditional Mexican game that requires six pencils and two players. It’s a bit like a Ouija board but with pencils. To play, the players create a box with three pencils and ask, “Charlie, Charlie, can we play?” The movement of the pencils indicates the answer.

Online Play Options

If you’re looking to play Sim digitally, there are several websites where you can enjoy the game for free. Check out resources like Sim Pencil Game and Sim – Pencil and Paper Games for more options.

In Summary

The Sim game is a delightful way to engage your kids while sharpening their mathematical and strategic thinking. Not only does it entertain, but it also serves as a platform for learning about geometry and logical reasoning. Explore the world of Sim and other games to make the most of your family time!