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已验证FILE #011 // ASTRAGALI // CLASSIFICATION: PHYSICS
Score points by throwing knucklebones and interpreting how they land.
Throw 4 knucklebones (astragali) and score based on which sides land facing up.
The player with the highest total score after 5 rounds wins.
FULL RULES
重建The Bones
Astragali are the ankle bones (talus) of sheep or goats. Each bone is irregular in shape and can land on one of four distinct sides. A set of 4 bones is used for the standard game.
Side Values
Each side has a traditional point value: Convex (6 points) - the bulging side, rarest to land on. Flat (4 points) - the broad flat side, common. Concave (3 points) - the hollow side, common. Sinuous (1 point) - the narrow wavy side, rare and unlucky.
Basic Scoring
In a standard throw, your score is the sum of all four bones visible sides. For example: Convex + Flat + Flat + Concave = 6 + 4 + 4 + 3 = 17 points.
Special Combinations
Venus Throw: all 4 bones land on different sides (1+3+4+6) = 40 points. Senio: three or more bones show Convex (6) = 30 points. Vultures: all 4 bones land on the same side = only 1 point. Dogs: three or more bones show Sinuous (1) = 0 points.
Game Structure
The game is played over 5 rounds. Each player throws all 4 bones once per round. Scores are recorded after each throw. Players alternate who throws first each round.
Victory
After 5 rounds, the player with the highest total score wins. In case of a tie, the player with the single highest individual throw wins. If still tied, play one additional sudden-death round.
VARIANTS
艺术加工Greek Gambling (Astragaloi)
CLASSICAL GREECE, 500 BCE
The serious gambling variant where players wagered on throws. Stakes could be substantial, and ancient sources mention fortunes won and lost on a single Venus Throw. Often played in symposia with wine as the stake.
Roman Tali
ROMAN EMPIRE, 200 BCE - 400 CE
The Romans adopted astragali as tali and developed elaborate scoring systems. Professional players used weighted or modified bones. The game was popular enough that gambling laws tried to restrict it, except during Saturnalia.
Children's Jacks (Pentelitha)
ANCIENT TO MODERN
A dexterity game where 5 bones are tossed and caught on the back of the hand. It survives today as Jacks or Knucklebones with metal or plastic pieces.