Rules of The Thingie Game™ Online

Ages: 4 to Adult
Number of Players: 2 to Any Number
Time Needed: 15 minutes to Forever

The Origins of The Thingie Game

One very important element of party games is the capacity of the game to make people laugh until they can't handle it any more, and The Thingie Game is ideal for this. It started in a living room in the mid-1990's where there was a large enough table to make the game work. It's basic origins were, as most games are, rooted in boredom. Sometimes it's boredom, and not necessity that is the mother of invention.

What you will need for The Thingie Game:

1 1/2 inch diameter ball of crushed paper (the "Thingie")
1 table, At least 4 feet by 4 feet
A number of books that can act as a barrier

Rules of The Thingie Game

Setting up The Thingie Game is fairly simple. See the illustration for an example. Line up the books on opposite ends of the table to create a barrier. If you don't have a little ball of paper, make one by crushing a post-it sized paper with your hands.

One you have The Thingie Game arena established, two players will sit opposite of each other, with the books forming a barrier to either side. The players play Rock-Paper-Sissors in order to determine who will serve the Thingie first. The player who wins will then hold the Thingie above the center of the table, directly between the two players. The player who is not holding the Thingie will then say "Go!", directly after which the player holding the the Thingie will drop it to the table.

As soon as the Thingie is dropped, both players commence to try to blow the Thingie off the other player's side. If one player successfully accomplishes this, they receive a point. Players alternate in regards to who drops the Thingie and who says "Go!" for each point.

The game is played to 10, upon which the winner will play the next player, if there are more people who want to play. The game continues until all the players are tired or passed out.

Special Rules for The Thingie Game

• If the Thingie flies over the book barrier, the point must be replayed
• The players must not be touching the table with their bodies or hands. If a player is caught doing this, the other player wins the point.
• The players must both be sitting down, which means their rears must be in contact with their chairs. If a player lifts up off of their seat, the other player gets a point.
• If the Thingie touches the other player's body in a location within three inches of the table top, it is a point for the other player even if it bounces back onto the table.
• Part of the fun of the game is the the cycle of laugher that inevitably ensues, where both players are laughing so hard they can't blow the Thingie to the other side. Game play continues even if both players can't breath.
• If a player passes out from lack of oxygen to the brain, the game ceases until the passed out player has received adequate medical attention. When they are set, game play can return. Oh, if one player passes out the other on wins the round.
• The players cannot touch each other during the game.
• It's fair game to try to get the other player to laugh.

If you have comments, variations or suggestions on this game, please .