Brandy, this may be a bit late, but I recommend reading this page about the history of Ringer: http://akronmarbles.com/players_history_the_game_of_ringer.htm It’s also worth going through the tournament rule changes that happened over the years. Then follow that link to the “Playground” book and give it a read. It’ll give good insight into how Ringer came to be and why it was choosen as the offical game. Ringer is a good mix of all the classic marble games listed in “Playground”. So of all games, I’d say Ringer is definitely one to learn. Then learn some variations on Ringer. The 1928 rules describe Ringer with poison shooter rules (this is my favorite, and I think it’s most classic). If you want to teach playing for keeps, then I’d recommend Ring Taw (as described in “Playground”). It’s like Ringer, but the rules are simpler and the higher stakes gambling, I think, is more fun. Other than that, I think Bocci with marbles is fun. Also, golf is a fun game too. Here’s a really simple made up game (like golf). I call it Regatta. Just put two pins in the ground. Start at one pin and shoot towards the second. When you hit the second, you turn around and shoot back at the first. When you hit the first, that’s one lap. Set a game to be a specific number of laps and be the first to finish. I use this game to practice my aim. When playing with others, if you hit someone elses shooter, you get a second shot. Set the pins far enough apart such that it’s a par 2 course. You only need one marble to play

William- Marbles are making a comeback for several reasons. A lot of the collector interest is driven by middle aged people trying to get back the stuff their mother’s threw out while they were in college or lost to the neighborhood hustler (haha,but true). There is a tremendous resurgence in art marble making. From West Virginia to California, the furnaces and torches have been fired up. Many of these studios are offering classes in marble making. Wheaton Village in Millville, NJ has a Marble Weekend following the National Marble Tournament, which is held in Wildwood, NJ. My family went last year and met a lot of the young artists that have led the new wave. The game of marbles is starting to make a comeback because it is so basic and simple. Since marbles are one of the oldest toys, and is the oldest mass produced toy (see the Akron marbles website),it seems only natural that “what was old is new again”. It is a game of skill that can be played under any conditions and modified with mutually agreed rules. It can be played for fun or keeps. There are no flashing lights, inappropriate violence or language (unless you miss) and does not become obsolete when a new gaming platform comes out. It still teaches hand/eye coordination, fine motor skills and sportsmanship without the possiblity of physical retaliation during the match. As far as glass verses stone, stone marbles make better shooters than glass due to better density and hardness. Glass marbles are fine to learn on, and many players use them successfully in tournament play. My daughter has shot in the National Marble Tournament for the last four years, representing Perry Hall, MD. Most upper rung players shoot with agates. Some have used other stone marbles- some are more brittle and chip/crack. You can find agates and other stone marbles on e-bay and other websites. You can find some bargains, if you look. For the game of ringer (the National Tournament game), the largest shooter you can use is 3/4″. The rules can be found on the tournament website (among others). Good luck with you daughter-

My father and I are teaching my 5 yr. old son to play. My dad played growing up in the 40’s & 50’s but can’t remember much. Please let me know some games to “pass on”. My son is thrilled about playing marbles with Poppa. Thanks

hi, dennis dawkins a’am looking for someone to promote my game,name makeyortakey,we play as kids, game of marbols to pass the time away,i have copyrights to my game,like to have it on CD-RUM,artcade,the reason we had to stop because of a candydrop that came out,got kids confuse,so they cut that back,i got the ideal when i was in the frist grade,went to school whit a hold shock of marbols,brough ten back home,i’am 46,building my backpouch,97,i found 100 marbols,me and my dogs that when i wrote a petton,anybody wont my rules,or pormote,my game email,hisfacedd [at] yahoo [dot] com dennis dawkins.

i need to find how 2 play mablegamewws any help