Skittles or Nine Pins

[Cheeky Actress]

Though the game of Skittles has been around since the 3rd or 4th century in Germany, there are several different various games/rules depending on the region of the United Kingdom.

The most popular version of Skittles, however, is West Country Skittles. Where 9 skittles (pin) are arranged in a square at the end of an alley that might be 24 feet, sometimes much longer. Each turn starts with all the skittles standing and consists of three balls being rolled down the alley. If all the pins are knocked down, then they are reset. So the maximum score in one turn is 27.

Here is what I've found for the 'Basic' rules of Table Skittles:

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 7

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

Step 8

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

Step 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.