Hi,

I am reading Silken Laumann's book "Childs Play" and it made me think of the kid games which we played and which were passed down by the older kids.

From grades Primary to 3 I really enjoyed playing marbles, usually "for keeps". I'm trying to remember the details and am hoping someone here can fill in the gaps.

Someone would turn their heel in the dirt to make a small hole and would pat the sides down to make it smooth. The p_layer_s (2,3??) would stand back and throw marbles towards the hole. (Often more than one, but the numbers had to be even. As some marbles were considered worth more, like "crockies" which were worht 5? regular marbles, you might end up throwing more or less total marbles than the other p_layer_(s).) The owner of the marble closest to the hole went first. They tried to knock their marble into the hole using the side of the first finger which was bent into a "C". If they succeeded then they kept going until they missed a shot (like pool), I think. I think the person to sink the last marble won. I don't remember if you had to sink all yours first or if you could choose any marble.

If anyone can remember I'd like to hear how they played.

-Adele