Marbles have a very, very long history. They have been a part of our lives for such a long time that they have even entered our language with terms such as 'to have all your marbles' and 'to knuckle down' (the term used for the way you hold your marble when you shoot it).
It is known that the Romans enjoyed playing marbles, and there are many examples of Roman marbles in museums. Unfortunately the rules of many of the games the Roman children played have been lost in time. It is believed that the game known today as Nine Holes or Arches originally came from a game played by the children of the Roman Empire.
The first marbles were made from sea-rounded pebbles, polished nuts, fruit pits and later baked clay or carved stone. The Romans were very good at making marbles from glass and it was customary to give a bag of marbles during the winter solstice, at a time called Saturnalia. It was at this time of year they exchanged presents and enjoyed one another's company (very similar to our Christmas celebrations).
The term marble is a relatively new name and, depending on which book you read, there seem to be two versions of where it comes from. One says that in England before the 1700s, marbles were called 'bowls', but the name seems to have slowly changed when imports from Germany, made from chipped marble, started to reach our shores, so bringing about the name marbles.
However, other books say it is a mixture of two words, the first being a Greek word 'marmaros' and the second a French word 'bille' which put together means 'little ball'.
Marbles have been and are still known by other names. One name that seems to have stuck is 'Alley' and it is believed this came from the fact that Alabaster (which is very similar to marble but cheaper and easier to work) was also used to make marbles. Other old terms for marbles include Balsers, Doggles, Dummocks, Jaries and Stonnackerools. In modern times marbles have been known by a range of names including Maggies, Marbs, Marlies, Marries, Mebs, Merps, Muggles and Marvels. Today a whole new range of names exist and normally refer to the size of a marble or how it looks, for example large marbles can be called Bulls, Bullies, Dabbers, Fighters, Gob Stoppers and Smashers. Smaller marbles are known as Pee Wees, Tiddlers, Pedies and Tichies.
There are many games that can be played using marbles. Some are traditional and have been with us for many centuries, while others are newly invented.
What follows are just four of the many fun and easy-to-play games which use marbles. One of them requires an old shoe box, while the other three just need a small group of players, some chalk and a handful of marbles.
Nine Arches
This is also known as Archboard, Bridgeboard, Donkey, Marble Alley and Nine or Six holes
Number of players:
As many as you like
You will need:
A shoe box, scissors, some chalk, a tape measure and ten marbles per player
Before you begin:
Obtain a shoe box and cut nine arches of different sizes along the top edge, then number them giving the smaller arches a higher number (for example 5) and the larger arches a smaller number (for example just 1 or 2). Then place the box upside down on the ground and draw a line about 1 metre away. The players must stand behind this line when shooting their marbles.
How to play:
All the players start with the same number of marbles, say ten. Each player takes it in turn to shoot at the arches and those who get a marble under an arch score that number of points. Those who do not manage to get their marble through an arch lose that marble, so when it is their turn next time round they have fewer marbles to shoot with. When everyone has lost all their marbles the game ends and the person with the highest score wins.
Ringer
This is also known as Ringo, Ring Taw
Number of players:
Two or more
You will need:
13 small marbles and 1 larger marble per player
Before you begin:
A circle is drawn or marked out approximately 1 metre across. In the middle of this circle set out a cross of 13 marbles (a marble in the middle with four arms each with three marbles).
The aim of the game:
To knock out of the circle one or more of the marbles, using a larger marble.
How to play:
Each player shoots from the edge of the circle. If a marble is knocked out of the circle then the player is allowed another go taking the shot where their marble stopped. When no marbles are knocked out of the circle it is the next person's shot (the first player's shooter must stay where it stops). The second player can shoot at any of the marbles inside the circle. If he or she decides to try to knock out the other person's shooter they can do so. If a player's shooter is knocked out then they are right out of the game. The first player to get seven marbles out of the circle wins the game.
Pyramid
This is also known as Castles or Cobnuts
Number of players:
Around 3 to 5 people per game is ideal
You will need:
Plasticine, minimum of 4 large marbles plus 1 marble per player as a shooter. However, in order to continue the game each player must contribute the same number of marbles each in order to rebuild the pyramid.
Before you begin:
Draw a circle about 30cm across and mark the middle. Place three marbles close together and using a little plasticine place a fourth on the top.
Aim of the game:
The aim of the game is to knock down the pyramid and knock out of the circle as many marbles as you can.
How to play:
Each player takes it in turn to try to knock the pyramid down and the marbles out of the circle. The person shooting wins any marbles knocked out. Each time the pyramid is knocked down it has to be rebuilt with four new marbles for the next person to take their go. Loose marbles are left in the circle and if they are knocked out they are also won. At the end of the game the person with the most marbles wins.
Bombers
This is also known as Drop or Bounce Eye, Belly Warts and High Dives Number of players:
As many players as you like but around 3 to 5 per game is good Before you begin:
Draw or mark out a circle around 30cm across. Each player puts one or two of their marbles into the circle; they can be anywhere but near the centre is best.
Aim of the game:
To knock out as many of your opponent marbles from the circle as possible
How to play:
Each player takes it in turn to stand over the circle and drop a marble from either eye height (hence the name Drop or Bounce eye) or waist height (hence Belly warts). The player wins the marbles that are knocked out of the circle, any remaining marbles in the circle means their owners stay in play. The game continues until there are no more marbles left inside the circle. The person who has won the most marbles wins the game.
BE SAFE
Marbles can be great fun, but they can also be dangerous if children are careless with them. If children leave their best marble out on the floor there is no knowing who could slip on it, or even eat it. So when they have finished playing with them always make sure they put them away safely.
