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Knucklebones - Osselets

Also known as 5 Stones or just Bones - related to Jacks.

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A game I remember playing when I was younger, in the school playground. The game is played by holding all five stones in the palm of your hand then tossing them into the air, you need to see how many you can catch on the back of your hand as they come down. The rules are more complex than that in reality but that's the gist. See below for full rules and tips on how to play.

This is a quite small, pencil case style box with sliding lid and five moulded metal 'stones'. Supplied with rules but they are in French. They are also below in English and can be printed using the Knucklebones rules page.

This product contains small parts that represent a choking hazard for small children. Not suitable for children under 5 years old.

Approx dimensions of box: 11 x 3 x 3 cm - (4 x 1 x 1 inches)

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Metal Knucklebones set

£11.24

£13.49

Eng/Wales:
3 wk.days

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Fivestones / Knucklebones / Osselets

All that is needed to play the game of Fivestones is five small stones. Alternatives to the stones can be pretty much anything of a similar size - originally sheep knucklebones were used.

The Play

To start a turn, the player throws five stones into the air with one hand and tries to catch as many as possible on the back of the same hand. The stones that were caught are then thrown up again from the back of the hand where they came to rest and as many as possible are caught in the palm of the same hand. If no stones end up being caught, the player's turn is over. If, however, at least one stone was caught, the player prepares for the next throw by keeping one of the caught stones in the same hand and throwing all remaining stones on the ground. The player then tosses the single stone into the air, attempts to pick up one of the stones that was missed and then catches the stone that was tossed, all with the same hand. The player repeats this until all the stones have been picked up. That done, the player throws down four of the stones again, throws the single stone in the air, attempts to pick up two stones with the same hand before catching the tossed stone. This is repeated again and a final toss sees the player picking up the last stone. The process is then repeated for three stones followed by one stone and finally, all four stones are picked up before catching the single tossed stone.

For skilful players, the game can continue in an agreed way with further permutations and challenges according to the players' whims. For instance, the other hand could be used to throw, the player may have to clap hands before doing the pick up or perhaps slap both knees.