Indigenous and Traditional Sports of Singapore - Five Stones

Five Stones

Of ancient origin, the game of Five Stones (also known as Knucklebones) is played with five small triangular cloth bags filled with seeds, rice or sand. Two or more players can play. The aim is to score as many points as possible. A point is scored when a player completes the eight steps in throwing and catching 'five' stones.

Method of Play:

• Players determine the order of play.
• Each takes turn to play the game.
• Playing steps:
  • A player begins by throwing all five stones on the ground. He throws a stone in the air and picks up a stone and then catches the first stone with the same hand. He continues picking up each stone in this manner till all five are in his hand.
  • Repeat (3a) but the player picks up 2 stones each time.
  • Repeat (3a) but the player picks up 3 stones at the first time and one stone the second time or vice versa.
  • Repeat (3a) but the player sweeps up all 4 stones.
  • The player throws one stone in the air, places the other four on the ground and catches the falling stone before it lands. Throws the stone up again and sweeps up the others on the ground, and catches the stone.
  • He throws all stones on the ground and picks up two. Throws one stone in the air and exchanges the other with one on the ground (note that for this action, a player uses only one hand). He continues to do this to the remaining stones on the ground.
  • After the exchange is completed, the two stones held in one hand are thrown up. The player picks up a stone with the same hand and catches the two falling stones separately into each hand. He continues to do this till there are three stones in one hand and two stones in the other. The remaining two stones are then thrown up and caught separately into each hand again. **He throws the last stone up and catches it with the other hand.
  • The player throws all five stones on the ground. The opponent selects the stone to be thrown. **The player throws the selected stone and sweeps up the others on the ground then catches the falling stone. When the eight steps are completed, the player scores a point and starts from paragraph (3a) again.
• The player stops playing when
  • The stone, which is thrown in the air, is not caught in time.
  • The player touches or moves stones apart from those he has picked up.
• When it comes to his turn again, he begins from the step where the mistake was made.
• The winner is the one who completes the set of eight steps the most number of times.