Playing Card Mixers
Playing Card Mixers is a way of forming random groups with a standard deck of cards: each person receives one card and regroups on the facilitator's call by suit, value, colour or odd and even. Because one card carries several attributes, the same hand-out produces two large groups, four medium groups or many small ones without any further preparation. It is common facilitation practice with no known originator.
Facilitation script
- 1
Hand one card to each person from a deck you have sorted to match the head count and the group sizes you need.
1 min - 2
State the first task, then call the criterion, for example same suit. Point to four corners of the room so each suit knows where to gather.
1 min - 3
Groups work on the short task or question. Give a time check halfway through.
3 min - 4
Call a new criterion, for example same value, and give the next task once the new groups have formed.
4 min - 5
Collect the cards, or ask people to keep them if you plan to regroup again later.
1 min
Tips
Sort the deck before the session instead of dealing from a shuffled one: if you want five groups of four, hand out exactly five values in all four suits.
Announce the task before people move, because a newly formed group listens badly.
Decide in advance how picture cards count for odd and even, otherwise the first minute goes to arguing about whether a queen is twelve.
Common pitfalls
Dealing from a shuffled deck without counting, so that suits or values are uneven and one group ends up with two people while another has seven
Explaining the task after people have moved, when the noise of regrouping is at its peak and half the room misses the instruction
Leaving the odd and even rule for picture cards undefined, which stalls the regrouping while people negotiate
Regrouping so often that no group gets past introductions; two or three calls in one session is usually enough
Forgetting latecomers, who arrive without a card and stand outside the groups until someone notices
Variations
Use two decks for groups above 52; matching values then give groups of up to eight. For pairs, ask people to find the card with the same value and colour. Online, send each person a card name by private message, or skip cards and use the random breakout function of the video tool. A related low-prep option is to group by something people are already wearing, such as shoe type or colour.
Where it fits
When to use it
People have sat down with the colleagues they already know and you want mixed groups without singling anyone out
The agenda has several group tasks that need different group sizes, and you want one hand-out to cover all of them
A large group needs to split fast and counting off would take longer than the task itself
You want group composition to be visibly random so that nobody suspects the facilitator of engineering it
When not to use it
Groups need a deliberate mix of functions, seniority or expertise; assign them in advance and post the lists instead
The work continues in the same teams all day; form the groups once and leave them alone
The group is smaller than eight; simply ask people to pair with someone they have not worked with yet
The purpose is getting to know each other rather than grouping; Card Talk or a mingle format does that job better
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Playing Card Mixers?▾
Playing Card Mixers is a random grouping technique in which every participant gets one playing card and then forms groups with people holding matching cards. The facilitator chooses the matching rule, such as suit, value, colour or odd and even, and can change it to remix the room. It needs one deck of cards and about a minute per regrouping.
How many groups can you form with one deck of cards?▾
Colour gives two groups, suit gives four, and value gives up to thirteen groups of at most four people. Odd and even gives two groups once you have agreed how picture cards count. By choosing which cards you hand out, you can set almost any group size.
How do you control group sizes with playing cards?▾
Pick the cards before the session instead of dealing at random. For 24 people in groups of four, hand out six values in all four suits; the same cards then also give four suit groups of six and two colour groups of twelve. Keep a few spare cards from the same set for latecomers.
Does it work with more than 52 people?▾
Yes, with a second deck. Matching values then produce groups of up to eight, and suits produce four large groups. For very large rooms, mark gathering points for each suit so people do not have to search the whole space.
Can you use playing cards to form groups online?▾
You can send each person a card by private chat message and ask them to rename themselves with it, then build breakout rooms by suit or value. In practice the random breakout function of most video tools is faster. The card version is worth the effort only if you want to regroup several times by different rules.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Common facilitation practice; published among others by playmeo.