How to Play Thumb War

Thumb war is not only a popular game among children, it is also quite popular among adults. It can be played for fun, to settle a dispute or to determine your strength. The best places to declare a thumb war are in the car (if you aren't driving), in a home or at a restaurant. Playing thumb war doesn't last very long unless you decide to join a professional tournament. If you have a long thumb, then you probably have a good shot at beating the other contestants in the tournament.

Things You'll Need

• Two thumbs

Instructions

1. Begin by making a challenge to someone. This may be for fun or because you need a way to settle who will get the last chocolate eclair. Wait for the individual to decline or accept your challenge before you proceed.

2. Decide if you are going to use right hands or left hands. Both players will face each other and use the same hand. Most of the time the right hand is used, but an exception can be made if one of the players is left handed.

3. Grasp your fingers together leaving your thumbs sticking up. In other words, your four fingers are wrapped around your opponent's four fingers. You both have your thumbs sticking straight up.

4. Say a chant before beginning. The most common is "One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war." As you are saying the chant move your thumbs from side to side with each word. Finish with "Five, six, seven, eight, open up the thumb gate. Nine, ten, let's begin."

5. Starting fighting. The object is to get the opponent's thumb pinned down by your thumb. It must stay pinned down for three seconds to declared victory. You may not use any other body parts or fingers in this match. That is considered cheating. Just reach your thumb out and try to trick the other player in to thinking you are not going to make a move, and then make one.

6. Play best out of three or best out of five. The game only takes a few minutes to play and sometimes only a few seconds. That is why it is decided ahead of time to play a few games. The player with the most wins is the overall winner.

Tips & Warnings

• Try playing both hands at the same time.

• Make sure you specifically state before each match that no cheating is allowed. There are moves that incorporate fingers such as the sneak attack or the atom bomb. Tell the other player that you are not going to play if any of those moves are used.