Hook and ring games are popular in many areas of the world. No one is sure when exactly the game was designed or who created it, but it is known to have been played under different names and is still popular today at fairs and carnivals everywhere.
There are two popular versions of the game today. The first option is with an object, such as a decorative board or slab, mounted to the wall with a chain attached to a ring in the ceiling above. The object of the game – just swing the ring at the end of the chain and catch the ring on the hook mounted to the board to gain points.
The second option is the peg system for multiplayer, where swinging the chain attached to the peg system results in catching the ring on the hook below to score points. Either version of the hook-and-ring game is sure to keep you and your guests entertained.
Traditional Board Or Peg System
Board-mounted hook-and-ring games are common in places where people gather, such as game rooms and pubs. If you have an area of your home where you can mount a hook and ring game, such as a family room or garage, it makes for a popular activity for guests of all ages and skill levels.
Peg systems are better suited to places where mounting a board to the wall or putting hooks in the ceiling is not permitted. Peg-mounted games even come in handy desktop versions of the hook and ring game that can be moved around to table tops or any level surface in your home or office.
The Rules
The rules for hook and ring are all basic variations of the same game. Toss the ring to catch it on the hook below to score points. There are different house rules depending on where you are playing regionally, so it is best to ask about the rules before playing the game if it is someplace new to you.
One of the most common versions is where each player swings the ring three times and can score on three turns. The next player now has three turns, and the cycle repeats until all have played. The player with the highest number of “catches” wins the round. For ties, a playoff swing occurs until one player outscores the other with an even number of swings.
The Board Set Up
Become a pro by installing your own hook and ring system to get lots of practice. For this version of the game, we are going with the traditional board setup. You are going to mount the board so that the hook is four feet from the ground. Next, mount your ceiling hook between five and six feet from the wall. To get the proper length on your string for your game, hang the ring on your hook.
Now, tie one end of your string to the hook in the ceiling and the other end of the string to the ring. Make sure to leave some slack in the string so that you are able to swing the ring towards the wall and for it to catch easily without being too tight.
Strategies
There are many different strategies that people use to hook the ring for the most points. You can try holding the ring flat so that it doesn’t spin when you swing toward the hook and hopefully just land a solid catch. You can also try swinging the ring to the right or the left in an arc to hopefully land across the ring, catching it as it swings past. Either way is a good strategy for points, and you are sure to find what works best for you with practice.
Alternatively, you can play tournament style with a scoring system as follows:
- The ring hits the hook and makes a clink for 1 point.
- The ring hits the hook and makes two clinks for 2 points.
- The ring lands directly on the hook for 5 points.
You can play to either 11 or 21, depending on how long you want to play and the number of players. When there is a tie between players, each player gets another swing, with an even number of swings between them, until one player scores, making them the winner.
Fun for Everyone
The hook and ring game has been around for a very long time and is very popular, with good reason. Hook and ring can be played by all ages and skill levels with ease making for accessible gameplay for everyone. The hook-and-ring game requires minimal equipment to play and is easy to install. It is possible for anyone and everyone to have a hook-and-ring game in their home or business for hours of entertainment.
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