- History and Useful Information -

Welcome.  This website provides history, useful links and current information about traditional games from around the world.  It is produced for the edification of others in the original spirit of the Internet.   There are no paid ads.  The author welcomes your comments.

There are two ways to reference material on this site.  You can use the 'Game Index' from the navigation buttons above or you can drill down to your area of interest using the categories below.

Board Games	The histories of all the major board games played today from all over the world.  Including Western board games favourites like Chess (descended from Shaturanga),  Draughts (descended from Alquerque),  the ancient Egyptian game of   Nine Mens Morris  and  Backgammon (descended from Senat) and childrens favourites Snakes and Ladders, and Chinese Checkers (a modern version of Halma). Just as importantly, games which are even more popular but less well known in the West  such as Go,  Shogi,  Chinese Chess,  Mancala and  Pachisi (Ludo).  Plus some unusual games like the ancient Norse game of Tafl, the Madagascan game of Fanorona and some really ancient games like the Royal games found at Ur.
Table Games	Table games including Carrom from Asia and the Billiards family through Snooker to the American and European derivatives, Bar Billiards, Bagatelle, Pool and Carom Billiards.  Also, the Shovelboard and Shove Ha'penny family, Squails and Crokinole plus the table-top versions of Skittles, Indoor Quoits and Bagatelle.
Pub Games	The history of British pub games and other unashamedly traditional British pastimes: Dominoes, Cribbage, Quoits, Shove Ha'penny, Billiards and Snooker, Skittles, Darts, Bar Billiards and a few splendidly eccentric extras for good measure like Ringing the Bull, Toad in the Hole, Bat & Trap, Knur & Spell and Aunt Sally.
Lawn Games	Traditional Lawn games including Bowls, Cricket, Croquet, Tennis and Badminton.
Dice, Cards and Tiles	Mah Jong,  Dominoes,   Cribbage,  Shut the Box

 

Popular Games from Masters Traditional Games Shop

Giant Games - Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Snakes and Ladders, Giant Ludo, Giant Checkers, Giant Chess

Jaques Croquet

Board Games - Backgammon, Jaques Chess, Lewis Chess, Mah Jong, Games Compendium, Go, Chinese Chess, Shogi, Ludo, Pachisi

Pub Games - Bar Billiards, Skittles, Table Skittles, Skittle Alley

Table Games - Jaques Table Tennis, Roulette, Card Tables

From domains Masters Traditional Games (com) and Masters Games (uk)

jm at tradgames.org.uk
Copyright © 1997-2005 by James Masters.