Devil Amongst the Tailors
(Table Skittles)
Also known as Indoor Skittles or Bar Skittles, this is one of the most popular indoor pub games. Just like full alley skittles, each player has three attempts to knock down the skittles but in this space-saving version, the ball is swung around a pole toppling the skittles upon its return. A game of great skill for serious pub competition or just good old fashioned fun for children and adults.
Premier Devil Amongst the Tailors
Our
primary full-size Table Skittles game is lovingly hand-made by a traditional
craftsperson from solid Oak. Suitable for pubs, competitions and
connoisseurs, the surface is green baize and on one side is set a cribbage
board for keeping score. The skittles and ball are turned in beautiful
Beech and Holly while the chain, handle and fittings are all made from
solid brass.
By itself the board is a work of art but just as importantly, the table optionally features the much sought-after cord skittle return. That's right - just pull on the cord adjacent to the skittles and they are all pulled back to the vertical in exactly the right position. Resetting the skittles can be a drag so this time-saver is guaranteed to enhance your enjoyment of what is already a great game.
The fact that the skittles are secured with the cord also prevents them being removed which is useful where the game will be used in public areas.
The board is supplied with instructions and brass cribbage pegs for keeping score. It packs flat into a box and has a handle for ease of transport. No tropical hardwoods are used in the making of this board. Dimensions are 905 x 605 x 75mm (36 x 24 x 2 inches) with a pole that is 120cm (4ft) high.
Masters Games strives to find you the finest example of each game that is available and this product exemplifies this. No short cuts; just quality craftmanship - a game to be passed down the generations.
Hand-made in Britain
Click on the picture to enlarge.
Change to $  Change to €  |
UK pounds (ex.VAT) |
Pounds (incl. VAT) |
Typical ETA in wkg days |
Add to basket |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hand made Oak Table Skittles (without cord skittle return) |
£198.21 | £232.90 | 4 + transit time | ||
Hand made Oak Table Skittles with cord skittle return |
£229.70 | £269.90 | 4 + transit time | ||
For an immediate quote and ETA, add to the basket & select your location. |
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The Origin of Table Skittles
Skittles or Nine Pins as played on an alley is still one of the most popular pub games and is the ancestor of a number of games including ten-pin bowling. However, it does take up a lot of space and so it's no surprise that miniaturised versions of the pastime eventually started to appear.
Just like alley skittles itself, different miniaturised versions of the game are particular to certain regions of Britain - Hood skittles is popular in and around Northamptonshire whereas Daddlums has only ever been found in Kent. But the most popular and well known table-top version of Skittles pictured above, was invented sometime in the 18th century. Known variously as Table Skittles, Bar Skittles and Pub Skittles it also goes by the name "Devil amongst the Tailors". The latter name came about in the year 1783 during which the Theatre Royal, Haymarket ran a play that, for some reason, offended the tailoring profession so much that a group of tailors and theatre-goers rioted at the theatre one day. This upset caused the Dragoons to be summoned to restore public order and, upon arrival, the Dragoons were reported to have ploughed through the rioting tailors like a wooden ball through table skittles. And the game has been known as "Devil amongst the Tailors" ever since.
To prepare each nine miniature pins are positioned on a small platform within the square game board. In the corner of the board, stands a pole with a ball suspended by a chain from its top. The ball is swung around the pole in such a way that upon its return, it ploughs through nine skittles on a platform. Aside from the equipment and the location on a table top, the rules are pretty much the same as skittles with the maximum theoretical score in one turn being 27 points. As with several pub games, scoring is often performed on a cribbage board.
You can learn more about the History of Table Skittles from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.