Overview
Babki is a traditional Russian game played with cattle bones (talus bones from cows). Unlike the Greek astragali which used smaller sheep bones, babki uses larger, heavier cattle bones, creating a different throwing dynamic and strategy.
The Bones
Each babka has four distinct sides:
- Plotska (narrow convex) - Value: 6 (rare)
- Nika (narrow concave) - Value: 4 (rare)
- Zhokh (wide convex) - Value: 3 (common)
- Gon (wide concave) - Value: 1 (common)
Gameplay
Players throw four babki per turn. The game consists of 5 rounds, with each player throwing once per round.
- Player 1 throws their four babki
- Score is calculated based on the landing sides
- Player 2 throws their four babki
- Round ends, scores are recorded
- Process repeats for remaining rounds
- Player with highest total score wins
Scoring Combinations
Panok (50 points)
All four bones land on Plotska - extremely rare and valuable!
Vse Raznyye (35 points)
All four bones land on different sides - a perfect throw
Troika (25 points)
Three bones land on the same side
Para (15 points)
Two pairs of matching sides
Dvoe (Sum)
One pair - score equals sum of all bone values
Sum (Variable)
No special combination - score equals sum of all bone values
Historical Context
Babki was a popular game in rural Russia, played by both children and adults. The use of cattle bones made it distinct from similar games in other cultures. The heavier bones required different throwing techniques and were often weighted with lead for competitive play. The game served as both entertainment and training for hand-eye coordination.