Blindfolded Games Tip Tap Toe
( Blindfolded, Guessing, Marble Coin Pebble and Jack, Memory, Pen and Paper )INDOORS.–A circle is drawn on a slate or paper the size of it varying with the number of players a larger circle being desirable for a large number of players. This circle is intersected with straight lines so that it is divided into a series of wedge-shaped spaces the number of lines and spaces being also at the discretion of the players the larger the number of players the larger the number of spaces desirable and the greater the variation in scoring. In each of these spaces numbers are written in consecutive order one for each space 1 2 3 4 etc. or the numbers may be done in multiples of five –5 10 15 20 etc. The players take turns in rotation. The one whose turn it is shuts his eyes takes a pencil circles it around over the diagram while he says the following verse —
“Tip tap toe here we go
Three jolly sailor boys all in a row.”
At the close of the verse the player places the point of the pencil on the diagram still with his eyes closed. He then opens his eyes and should the pencil have touched one of the numbered spaces he marks down to his score the number written in that space and crosses out that figure on the diagram. Thereafter that space does not count in playing. Should the pencil touch a dividing line or the line forming the circumference of the circle or fall outside of the circle or fall in a space in which the number has been crossed out the player scores nothing and loses his turn the next one taking up the play.
When all of the spaces have been crossed out the player wins who has the largest score but should any player at any time touch his pencil to the center of the circle he wins the game.
OUT OF DOORS.–This game may be played out of doors by drawing the diagram on the earth with a sharpened stick which is used afterwards as a pointer as a pencil is used on the paper diagram. If on hard earth the figures may be marked in the spaces as on a paper diagram but the diagram should be drawn considerably larger than when on paper.
This is an admirable game for playing on the hard sand of the seashore. In that case little pebbles or shells are placed in the different spaces instead of numerals one in the first space two in the second three in the third etc. When a player places his stick or pointer in a space he removes the pebbles from that place to a little pile and the score is counted at the end by counting this pile of pebbles. Any space from which the pebbles have been removed is thereafter out of the game as when the figures are crossed out on the paper diagram.
This game is supposed to have originated in early methods of allotting land.