Kanche game or the Game that played with small round shaped glass balls (the Marbles) is quite popular in India, and Pakistan. This game has other different names like Gotiya or Bante. The word Bante is popular in Punjab side of India and same the word is quite familiar among kids and teenagers in Lahore and Punjab of Pakistan.
Some common terms used for this game are:
- आओ कंचे खेले (Let’s play Kanche) – Hindi-speaking regions
- आओ बंटे खेले (Let’s play Bante) – in Punjab and Haryana
- Let’s play Marbles…! – English-speaking regions
- चलो गोटियाँ खेलते है (Let’s play Gotiya) – In North side
- Also popular as Goli, Goti, Murmure, and Lakhoti,
This game is played between 2 player or more than 2 players in a small open ground or home backyard. All you need some glass based glass spherical marbles and you can play the Kancha game with others and win more marbles. You can choose a small space and they play it without any issue.
Some games like Kali Jota (also known as Odd Even) and Guess The Range (How many marbles do I have right now in my hand) can be played indoors as they do not require any special space. These 2 games are just hit and try or guessing based games so they can be played indoors, anytime, anywhere.
History and importance of Kancha game
The history of Kancha game in India is very old and it has been an integral part of the rural culture of our country. It is usually played in rural areas and towns, but over time it has become popular in cities as well. Through the game of Kancha, children not only experience entertainment, but this game also increases their ability to concentrate and hand-eye coordination.
In old time (a long time ago), Kanche was used to play with round shaped stones also called pebbles or clay balls… but later when science developed… these round shaped stones replaced with glass marbles. They are available in big, medium, and small sizes and based on which category you fall like kid, teen, or adult; you can choose or buy respective size from a shopkeeper and play the game.
The ideal size that everyone prefers is a medium size marble. It easily fits and you can aim opponent’s marble in right manner. However, based on the game rules, you can also pick big or small size marbles.
The game of Kanche has many types. It is not a single game, there are multiple variations and these are – simple Pill Chot game, Chakri, Kali Jota, and Target practice. Other similar names of Target practice in Kanche is Direct shot or Tanna Marna from a given distance. Based on your region, you may find more variations!
Equipment used in Kancha game
Marbles is very simple game, and doesn’t require any special equipment. It mainly requires round-shaped glass marbles, which are available in a variety of colors and sizes. The marbles are usually 1-2 cm in diameter. Small marbles can be used for younger children and slightly larger marbles for elder children.
While playing, you only need a marble and it can be of any color. It can be of in transparent form (simple marble) or it can be in non-transparent form (special marble) like fully white, red, yellow, green etc. A player can play with one marble, although he needs around a dozen marbles to stake.
For Example: Suppose you have decided to play Chakri… so here 1 marble is not enough as you need to place more than 1 marble in circle. This game minimum requires 10 Marbles — 5 from your side and 5 from other player side, means 6 marbles should be in your pocket to play this game.
So no special equipment or space is required to play Kanche… all you need is 1-2 dozen marbles and you can play the game for hours and easily pass the boring time.
Rules of the marble game
Like other games, Kancha game has also some rules which makes the game interesting and valuable. The rules of the marble game are simple, which can be based on the variations of the game. This game is played by two or more players. Let us know some basic rules of the marble game:
Preparing the Playing Field
As this is an outdoor game, you need a small playing field. It can be simple rough road, or ground, or home backyard. The surface should be soft so that you can easily dig a small hole. This hole is usually called ‘home’, and the players aim to put their marbles in this hole or use it to hit at the opponent player’s marble.
Initial position
At the beginning of the game, every player has a certain number of marbles. The objective of each player is to put his marbles in the hole by targeting the marbles of others.
- Example 1: In simple pill chot game, you can hit opponent’s marble and then put the marble in hole. Here HIT means Chot, and HOLE means pill. You can do vice versa… first put the Kancha in Pill and then Hit the Kancha of opponent player. This way you win and also win opponent’s marble.
- Example 2: In Chakri game, you can make a circle around the hole and place a some marbles. Here, the objective is too hit each and every marble out of the circle.
Aiming
In the game, players aim at the marbles using their thumb and index finger. A distance is fixed and the player has to throw the marble from that distance. The thumb should be on ground or it can be in air but from the given target point. You can move in any direction 360 degree and Aim marble.
Point system
The point system of this game is completely different – usually no point system is used in Kanche instead player stake their marbles. In the start of game, it is decided.. how much marbles the winner will get?
It’s like, if you defeat me… I’ll give you 2 marbles. The other player makes a similar promise, if I lose this game, I’ll give you 4 marbles. So this is how the point system works in Kanche game.
Win-lose rule
The game ends when a player has all the marbles. In short, there will be a lucky winner who has won the marbles. For example: He came on field with only 10 marbles, but now at the end of day… he has 20 or 50 marbles.
Different types of Marbles game
In Kanche, you an find a plenty of categories. And trust me guys each and every category is very interesting. There are some major types of this game that are used during the game.
#1. Simple Pill Chot
This is for the beginner and in this variation of Kanche game each player’s objective is to complete a count from 10, 20, 30, to 100. One hit means 10 points, second hit means another 10 points i.e. 20, third hit means another 10 points i.e. 30 and so on till the player achieve 100 points target.
Aim of each player is to get 100 points and for this they can hit opponents’ kancha. Once player reach at 100, he can finish the game by putting marble in the hole. While playing the game, or to reach the nearest marble… the player can take the help of the hole and reduce the distance to a great extent.
#2. Advance Pill Chot
In this instead of points, players stake their marbles and rest of playing style is generally same as simple Pill chot game. But there is one difference and that is now you don’t have to hit each and every marble… though you can but you need to play smartly so you can win more and more marble.
Now here… you can hit a marble, and then if possible hit another player’s marble and finally complete the process by putting the marble in the hole. You have to put the marble in the hole or else you lose the chance.
Another thing, suppose there are 5 players in this game including you. Then the game will end only when you hit all the 4 players’ marbles one by one in a turn, and then finally put your marble in the hole. That means 1 hit, then hit the second, then the third, then the fourth and finally you have to put your marble in the hole. If you fail to do so, you will lose your turn and the game will continue.
#3. Chakri or Circle Game
In this variation, you have to create a circle and then place marbles on the circle boundary. It can be 8 or 10 marbles and make sure the one marble is in center of circle. The game rule is very simple and that is just hit the marble with bear hand or using the index/thumb.
You have to hit each marble carefully from a given distance so that it does not touch any other marble and that marble goes out of the circle. If the marble goes out of the circle after hitting it, then it is yours, meaning you have won it, but if it touches any other marble then your turn will end and the other person will take it.
#4. Kali Jota
This is another mind boggling Kancha game that you can play inside home or at indoor locations. In this game, you have to guess the number of marbles – is it odd or even. Players hide a certain number of marbles in their hands and ask opponents to guess whether the number is odd (Kali) or even (Jota).
If the opponent guesses correctly, they win the marbles in the player’s hand. If they guess incorrectly, they lose some of their own marbles to the player holding the marbles.
5. Reverse Pill Chot
In this, instead of throwing marbles away from the hole, players put all the marbles in the hole from a certain distance. The more marbles go inside the hole, the more marbles the player wins… but there is a twist. To get all these marbles, the player has to hit a marble that the other player has placed anywhere in a given range. If you succeed in hitting this marble, you win all the marbles placed in the hole.
Changing attitude towards marbles game
With changing times, while modern video games and other technological tools have caught the attention of children, traditional games like marbles are slowly becoming extinct. However, in some places, this game is still very popular among children. Many schools and organizations have started organizing competitions to promote it so that children stay connected to their culture.
In village areas, still the Kancha game is played by many kids. I have seen in many places that many teenagers play Kanche in their free time and enjoy it.
How to make marbles safe and fun
In order for children to enjoy the game of marbles, it is important to make it safe and fun. Some safety rules should be followed during the Kanche game:
Choose a safe playground: The playground should be one where there are no sharp or dangerous objects. The playing surface should be flat to protect children from falling.
Aim in the right direction: During the game, make sure that children aim their marbles in the right direction so that no one gets hurt.
Limit the playing time: Keeping in mind the health of children, the playing time should be limited. Playing for a long time can put pressure on the eyes and hands of children.
Maintain hygiene in play: Explain to children the importance of cleaning marbles so that they use clean marbles and avoid dirt or dust.
Don’t get addicted: This is a fun game, but it can become addictive. Therefore, parents are advised not to let children play for too long, as it might disrupt their routine and focus.
Conclusion
Kancha game is one of the traditional games of India which plays an important role in the physical and mental development of children. This game is not only a means of entertainment but it also develops discipline, ability to concentrate, and a sense of sociality in children of every age.
The biggest feature of Kancha game is that it is a simple and cheap game which can be played anywhere in an open space. We should make efforts to save this game and increase its popularity among children so that this important part of Indian culture can reach the coming generations.
