The Online Guide to Traditional Games (original) (raw)

Welcome. This website provides history and useful information about traditional games from around the world. You will find it copied and plagiarised all over the Internet - rest assured that everything on this website is original.

The games featured have survived for centuries or millenia simply by being passed down from generation to generation and most continue to thrive today. Find a specific game by searching or via the 'Game Index' button above or drill down to your area of interest using the categories below.

Board Games

The histories of all the major board games played today from all over the world. Including Western board games favourites like Chess (descended from Shaturanga), Draughts (descended from Alquerque), the medieval game of Nine Mens Morris, and Backgammon and childrens favouritesSnakes and Ladders, and Chinese Checkers (a modern version of Halma).	Just as importantly, games which are even more popular but less well known in the West such as Go, Shogi, Chinese Chess, Mancala and Pachisi (Ludo). Plus some unusual games like the ancient Norse game of Tafl, the Madagascan game of Fanorona and some really ancient games like the Royal games found at Ur, Senet, and Mehen, the ancient Egyptian game of the Serpent.

Pub Games

The history of British pub games and other unashamedly traditional British pastimes: Cribbage,Quoits, Shove Ha'penny, Billiards and Snooker, Skittles, Darts, Bar Billiards Bat & Trap, Dominoes, and a few splendidly eccentric extras for good measure like Toad in the Hole, Ringing the Bull, Pitch Penny, Knur & Spell and Aunt Sally.

Dice, Cards and Tiles

If you are organising a league, competition or maybe just play a less well-known pub game in your local, the author is happy to mention it on this website for free. See the Leagues and Pubs page.

jm at tradgames.org.uk