How to Play Table Skittles

Table Skittles started as a popular game in pubs in Britain in the 1700s as a miniaturized version of the full-scale Skittles game which slightly resembles modern-day bowling. This game is also known as 'Devil Amongst the Tailors,' based on a saying created when a group of policemen ran through a group of rioting tailors outside of Theatre Royal in 1783. References to the Skittles game have been found in manuscripts from the 1300s.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Table Skittles game board (be sure you have all nine 'skittles,' or pins)

Play Table Skittles

1. Set up the game by placing the nine skittles on the raised platform in the playing area and setting the long pole in place with the ball attached via a string or chain.

2. Determine if you want to play a game for one turn per player or if you want to play until a player reaches a certain score, such as 50 or 100 points.

3. Toss a coin to find out which player will go first for a two-player game.

4. Sit or stand with the entire game board to your right.

5. Grip the ball in one hand and swing it around the pole toward the skittles. You must release the ball so that it swings along a circular path around the pole only once. If the ball comes around full circle, you must stop it before it reaches the skittles a second time.

6. Take two more swings at the skittles. You have two more opportunities to knock down all nine skittles during your turn. If you knock down all nine skittles at any time, reset the skittles for your remaining swings.

7. Add up the points for your turn. The maximum points for a turn is 27.

8. Allow other players to take their turns and add up their total points.

9. Win the game by having the highest point total after one round of turns or by reaching the agreed upon score first. The highest score wins if both players break the pre-determined score line set at the beginning of the game on the same turn.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a Table Skittles game with the skittles attached to a pull cord to rapidly reset the game.
• Table Skittles is a game of skill, not brute force of how hard you can send the ball around the pole toward the skittles.
• Players are not allowed to swing the ball straight into the skittles.
• Local rules can vary in pubs, so make sure you get a rundown of the rules before getting into a serious game.