Favorite Historical Game

1) Games that go back well before the time of digital computer and console games can be just as entertaining as anything we have in the modern era. One of my favorites is a game called "Mancala", an African originated board game involving strategy through the counting and placing of round stones.

2) Two players sit in front of opposite sides of a small wooden board, with 6 holes or pits for each of them. Vertically next to the two rows of pits, each player gets a larger pit, called a basket, which is the goal for your stones. Each player gets 4 stones per pit, and methodically picks them up, and drops them one at a time into each following pit. So if a player has 3 pits ahead of their pick up pit and then a basket, they drop one of the four stones into each pit in order, until they hit the basket. The fourth stone goes in the basket. They have succeeded in scoring a point, and because the last stone in their hand dropped into their point basket, they go again. Each player takes turns spreading the stones around from pit to pit, until they have emptied their side of the board.

3) I chose this game over any other historical non digital game, because I had it as a child, and fell in love with the simplicity yet strategy that came with it. It can be easily learned by anyone, and has a easy set up and clean up. Its a great game to pull out and challenge a friend with. You can plan moves way ahead, and set up the clean out of your pits before your opponent has made any moves. You can anticipate the outcome of a players turn, by studying their methods. It can be either intensely engaging, or simply calm to play with a friend at any time. That is why I love Mancala, and I think everyone who loves games should give this ancient African stone game a chance.


Here is a video link on how to play "Mancala" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV1xtI5DrsQ

MP1 Rules For Rock, Paper, Scissors

Rules for Rock, Paper, Scissors

Objective: To defeat your opponent in a game of selecting representative objects with hand signals, to produce winning outcomes.

Number of Players: Two players are required for standard play.

• Two players in front of a judge presents the official form of playing Rock, Paper, Scissors, but in non-standardized play, any number of people without a judge can be used.
• These rules will follow the traditional, two person version.

Setting up the game: Two people stand approx. 2 cubits in length apart, with their left arm extended at mid body length, palm up. Before given the signal to begin play, certain things must be considered; mostly what objects to put out to ensure your winning of the game.

• A player can put out Paper, which is shown through the placement of their right hand flat and downward facing, fingers together and extended. This outcome can defeat an opponents Rock, but falls to Scissors.
• Rock, is displayed with a closed sideways facing fist, with the thumb outside the fingers. Rock can defeat Scissors, but loses to Paper.
• The last option, Scissors, is represented with the players index and middle finger fully extended towards the opponent.

Any one of these choices can lead to a victory, but its about thinking ahead, as to what your opponent will choose, and what will be the best option to achieve victory.

Playing the Game: The game is typically divided into sets, requiring two winning rounds to complete a set. At the beginning of each set, once the players are ready, they pound their right fists onto their open left palms three times in rhythmic synchronization. On the fourth pound, they choose an hand signal, or, “Shoot”, and display their Rock, Paper, or Scissor.

• Players repeat this process until someone has won two rounds. They have then claimed a set. Players then can go for a second set, containing another two rounds. Whoever takes victory then, wins the overall match.

Game Flexibility: These are highly official rules, that follow a certain protocol, but the game is adaptable to different levels of play, for more unofficial situations. The number of players, rounds, and play style varies from person to person, making it a fun, simple, yet strategic and versatile game.