Kids
Marble Banner

Miscellaneous Marbles Games

The traditional types of marbles games found around the world are the circle, chase and hole games. But there are many other ways marbles have been used by children for amusement. These games vary from the familiar Chinese Checkers and Aggrevation games in stores today to some lesser known games that children invented over the centuries. Here are just a few tp try.

From the The Great American Marble Book on other marble games:

Toodlembuck

This is a game in which marbles are used as a form of tender. To play, two sticks and a button are needed. Draw a circle in the dirt and stand one stick on end within it. Then place the button on top of the upright stick. Roll the second stick lengthwise on the ground from a shooting line about 15 feet away from the first stick. The object is to upset the first stick and have the button land within the circle. The payoff is in marbles, whether successful or not. This game is also known in Great Britain as Stick-On-Scone. In Australia or England, you may here this rhyme:
"Try your luck on the toodlembuck An alley a shot and two if you win."

* * *

Spinner

Spinner consists of a two- or three-foot-diameter ring drawn in the dirt. Marbles are dropped in at random. A spinning top is used to knock the marbles from the ring, each player taking turns releasing his spinning top into the ring. Marbles knocked from the ring are kept by the player. However, if the player's top remains in the ring, it simply becomes another target. The value of a typical spinner is considered as good as that of an aggie among marbles players, so stiff trading could result.

* * *

Abacus

This "banker" game comes from Detroit, and it involves a line-up of strategically grouped marbles in some sort of series. The object is for players to bowl shooters at the marbles rather than shoot knuckles style. Marbles hit are won, with greatest value bestowed on single marbles standing alone. Bowlers on single marbles from a predetermined point that depends on the terrain smoothness and marble value. Values are higher for rougher ground and greater distance. Marbles that miss their mark are, of course, kept by the house man.

* * *

Song: "Woofie"