What Are Toy Jacks?

History of Jacks

• Games similar to jacks have be played with small pebbles or animal bones as far back as 2,000 years ago. The first variants to show up in America were known as "five stones" or "jack stones." The main stone in the game was eventually replaced with a wooden and then a rubber ball, and small metal jacks were created, mimicking the original animal knuckle bones.

Game Basics

• A set of jacks normally comes with a rubber ball and 15 angular pieces made from plastic or metal. The angular pieces have six prongs facing in opposing directions. Four of these are rounded, and two are pointed. The basic object of the game is to toss the ball in the air, pick up a predetermined number of jacks (without touching any of the other jacks) and grab the ball before it bounces twice. The game has different phases, and whoever completes all the phases first wins.

Rules of Play

• To win a game of jacks, players must make it through each phase of the game. In phase one, which is called "onesies," players must pick up one jack with each throw of the ball and not let the ball bounce twice. In phase two ("twosies"), players must pick up two jacks. The game continues in this way until the player reaches "tensies," and then the game goes in reverse back to "onesies." The first person to reach "onesies" either wins or proceeds to the advanced games, depending on the pre-game agreement.

Advanced Games

• Advanced games often follow the basic game of jacks. These are called "fancies." The rules of the "fancies" and the number of "fancies" to be played are decided before the game starts. They often include chants that must be completed while playing, or special ways to throw the ball or grab the jacks. In "Pigs in the Pen," for example, you must cup your left hand and touch it to the ground, and the jacks (the pigs) that you pick up must be tossed into that hand (the pen) before you catch the ball.