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Latin American Games

Latin America's cultural history includes participation in many games developed by indigenous peoples or the region's colonial rulers. Many of these games are steeped in tradition, having been played for generations. Some games reflect Latin America's culture and a collective interest in ball games and card games. Such games include Jugar a Las Canicas, Escoba, Tute and Balonmano.

Jugar a Las Canicas
- Jugar a Las Canicas is a version of marbles which has been developed by the people of Latin American from the popular North American game. It is played by people of all ages, although it is considered to be a game for children. The core principles of the game remain constant throughout Latin America, but different variations are played in the region. One such variation is called Ahogado, during which each player puts his marker in the ground and aims to hit the marker with one marble. The rest of the marbles are situated within a playing area. One aim of the game is to knock as many marbles out of the playing area as possible. The winner is the player with a marble closest to their marker.
Escoba
- Escoba is mainly played in Chile and Argentina, and is similar to the Italian game Scopa da Quindici. It is played by two, three or four participants. When four players are involved, they can either play individually or as two partnerships, with the partners sitting opposite each other. A 40-card deck of Spanish playing cards is used, with the players taking turns to lay one card facing up. The aim of the game is to be the first team to score 21 points at the end of a round. Points are awarded for various card capturing tactics, such as the Escoba (sweep), and for holding certain cards. It is possible for both competitors to have 21 points at the end of the game. At this time the player with the most cards in their hand wins.
Tute
- Tute is card game which originates from Spain. Several versions are played throughout Latin America, although all follow the same basic point scoring structure. Players gain points in various ways by winning 'tricks.' Tricks are a sequence of cards played by the competitors, in which certain cards have powers or 'trumps' over others. A 40-card deck of Spanish playing cards is used to play. Once all the cards have been dealt and played by the competitors, the teams count up any points earned in the tricks they have won. The team with the most points wins the game.
Balonmano
- Balonmano is the Latin American equivalent of handball. It is predominantly played in schools by children but people of all ages can take part. The game can be played with any size ball but smaller balls tend to be used as they can be easily gripped in one hand. Balonmano has many similarities with soccer. It is played by two teams who aim to score by throwing the ball in to the opposing team's goal. The goals are similar to those used in soccer and the points scoring system is the same. At the end of the game, the team with the most goals wins.

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