Tip, Tap, Toe

by Robert Coats | More from this Blogger

13 May 2006 06:44 AM

Back in the Middle Ages, lords would divide their lands among lower nobles and peasants. This game is rumored to have originated as a way that the lords would divide their lands.

Draw a circle on a large piece of paper, the greater the number of players, the larger the circle. Draw straight lines through the center of the circle so it's divided into a series of wedge shaped spaces. If you're playing with a large number of players, it's best to have more spaces available. Write numbers consecutively in each of the wedges, or use multiples of five for a higher scoring game.

The players take turns, beginning play by closing their eyes, taking a pencil circling it around the diagram saying the following verse: "Tip, tap, toe, here we go, Three jolly sailor boys all in a row."

After the verse the player places the point of the pencil on the diagram, still with his eyes closed. He then opens his eyes, and if the pencil touches one of the numbered spaces, he marks that number on his scorecard, and then crosses that wedge off the diagram. From this point on, that space doesn't count. If the pencil touches a dividing line or the outside of the circle, or a wedge already taken, the player gets no score and loses his turn.

When all the spaces are crossed out, the player with the highest score is the winner. However, if any player hits the exact middle of the circle, he wins the game.

There's also a fun outdoor or beach version of the game. The circle is drawn and divided up, except small pebbles or marbles are placed on each of the wedges, and a stick is used instead of a pencil for the "blinded" player to point out a wedge. If a player hits a wedge successfully, that player collects the marbles or pebbles.

Learn more about Robert Coats

My name is Rob Coats, and I'm very excited to join the Families.Com community. It's an honor and a privilege to be part of the internet's best resource for family information.

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