Acid–Base Poker: A Card Game Introducing the Concepts of Acid and Base at the College Level

Abstract

A card game has been developed to illustrate acids and bases to first-year general chemistry students. The game offers an enjoyable method to practice categorizing acids and bases. In this game, which is adapted from Texas Hold’em, a player uses his/her knowledge of the properties of acids and bases to try to make the highest possible rank with five cards. The game can be used as a method to engage students at an early stage of chemical education, providing a different perspective from the textbook and a broad view of the acid–base properties of chemical compounds. This game sparked interaction and communication during a classroom trial, and suggests that card games can be an effective and entertaining way to help college students learn some aspects of general chemistry.