Pick-up sticks

History

The origin of the game of pick-up sticks is disputed, but it is believed to have developed from the yarrow stalks used for divination with the Chinese I Ching. An English-language reference to a "game at spilakees" dates from 1734. The game became popular in the 1800s in Germany, the United Kingdom (where it was played at least as early as 1945 at Windsor Castle), and the United States. A particularly popular version of the game during the 1930s-50s, 456 Pickup Sticks, was manufactured by O. Schoenhut Inc, an offshoot of the US-based Schoenhut Piano Company.

In the 1800s, pick-up sticks were generally made from ivory or bone; modern sticks may be made of almost any material, such as wood, bamboo, straw, reed, rush, yarrow, or plastics.

The indigenous Haida nation in North America play a game similar to pick-up sticks with sticks made of plain maple wood decorated with abalone shell and copper.

Play

thumb|Jack Straws board game published by [[Parker Brothers]] in 1895 In a game of pick-up sticks, there are typically 30 or more sticks and at least two players. At the beginning of game play, the bundle of sticks is randomly distributed or dropped so the sticks end up in a tangled pile. The more tangled the pile, the more challenging the game. In some versions of the game any sticks not touching at least one other stick are removed. The first player (sometimes the youngest) attempts to remove a single stick at a time, without moving any other stick. If the player succeeds, that player's turn continues. If a player moves another stick, the turn immediately passes clockwise to the next player.

The object of the game is for a player to pick up more sticks than picked up by any other players. In more complex games, different-colored sticks are worth different numbers of points, and the winner is the person with the highest score.

In some versions of the game, the next player can opt to begin a turn by asking the player after that to pick up all the sticks and randomly remake the pile.

In some versions of the game, players may use only their fingers to move the desired stick. In other versions, players may use a tool to move one stick away from the pile; this tool may be one of the sticks, held aside before the game begins, or a particular colored stick, typically black, that may be won by a player who successfully moves it.

Variants

Mikado

Main article: Mikado (game)

Mikado is a pick-up-sticks game originating in Europe, played with a set of longer sticks which can measure between 17 and, all having the same length. The game is named for the highest-scoring (blue) stick, the "Mikado" (Emperor of Japan).

Mikado scoring

Farm tools

The pieces in a Farm tools set are related to farmyard tools, such as ladders, rakes, shovels, and hoes. Typically, around 45 pieces are in a set, made of wood, plastic, bone, or ivory. In addition to the tools, typically a helper piece with a hooked end is included for use in snagging and manipulating pieces. Each piece has a point value, with more challenging pieces being worth more points.

Farm tools scoring

References

References

1. "pick-up sticks".
2. (10 October 2022). "The Miniaturists". Duke University Press.
3. (1999). "Arts of Asia".
4. (1971). "Antique Toys and Their Background". Batsford.
5. "Luck of the Gambler".