Basic Setup:
* Board: A flat surface like a table, with a designated "playing area."
* Winks: Small, flat, usually plastic or metal discs. Players typically have a set of 6-12 winks in different colors.
* Squidger: A larger, heavier disc, typically with a finger hole.
Gameplay:
1. Starting Position: Players place their winks on the playing area, usually in a ring around a central area (the "pot"). The starting arrangement can vary depending on the version of the game.
2. Taking Turns: Players take turns trying to "squidge" their winks into the pot.
3. Squidging: Players place their squidger over a wink and press down, attempting to propel the wink into the pot. The squidger can also be used to knock winks into the pot indirectly.
4. Scoring: Each wink successfully landed in the pot earns a point.
5. Game End: The game can end in different ways depending on the rules:
* First to a set number of points: The first player to reach a predetermined score (e.g., 10 points) wins.
* Last wink standing: Players try to eliminate each other's winks. The player with the last wink remaining wins.
Key Rules:
* Legal Squidge: Only the wink directly below the squidger can be moved.
* No touching: Players cannot touch winks or the squidger with their hands except to initially place them.
* No "cheat squidges": You cannot intentionally "squidge" another player's wink if it is not the one directly below your squidger.
* Squidger Placement: The squidger must be placed entirely within the playing area.
* Winks outside the playing area: Winks that are knocked outside the playing area are out of play.
Variations:
* Double Tiddlywinks: Each player has two winks, and they try to squidge both into the pot.
* Team Tiddlywinks: Players work together as teams to try and win the most points.
* Competitive Tiddlywinks: Tournaments and leagues exist for serious tiddlywink players!
Tips for Success:
* Aim carefully: Practice squidging to get a feel for how much pressure to apply.
* Use your surroundings: Bounce winks off the sides of the playing area to manipulate their trajectory.
* Think strategically: Consider how your squidges will affect the position of your winks and your opponents' winks.
Tiddlywinks is a fun and engaging game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can become a master squidger and outsmart your opponents!