Chapter 4: Mathematical Card Games: A Study of Cardfight! Vanguard

The role of mathematics in gaming is evident in the nature of games, and the strategy used in playing them. Most strategy based games use mathematical concepts such as probability, counting principles, and logic. However, specific games emphasize different aspects of mathematics. Topics such as counting, additive properties, combinations and permutations, patterns, classifying, and ordering often arise when playing strategy based games. While players may not set out to specifically use math in order to accomplish goals or win the game, it is interesting to investigate how mathematics plays an underlying role in each of these games. While playing various games, participants are consistently reinforcing their mathematical skills and relying on their mathematical abilities to successfully execute each turn. This investigation focuses on a specific card game, Cardfight! Vanguard, and the mathematical nature of its design and gameplay.