Some rules for guessing games - these are just a few of many possible rules...

Guessing games

• Stick Games: A bundle of sticks (varying in size from 10 to > 100) or small flat disks are divided in the hands. The object is to guess the location of an odd or particularly marked stick. Some form played by most native groups
  
  
• Hand games: Two or four sticks, one or two marked, are held in the hands. The object is to guess which hand holds the unmarked stick.
  
  
• Four-stick games: Four sticks, marked in pairs, are hidden together. The object is to guess their relative position. Only appears in a limited number of tribes: e.g. Klamath, Modoc, Achomawi, Paiute and Washo.
  
  
• Hidden-ball games: A small object (e.g. stone, stick, bullet) is hidden in one of four wooden tubes, in one of four moccasins, or in the earth. The object is to guess where it is hidden. Played primarily by native groups of the midwest and southwest.
  
  

Rules:

Stick Games:

(Hand games: Scoring is the same as for stick games)

Each person (team) begins with the same number of counters. One person “deals” the sticks, i.e. takes the sticks and divides them into 2 piles, hidden to the view of the guesser. The guesser tries to guess in which pile the specially marked stick is hidden. If correct the guesser wins a point from the opponent. If incorrect, the “dealer” wins a point from the guesser and the “deal” switches to the other player.

Variations:

1. Players bet any number of their counters on their guess.

2. The “guesser” tries to guess whether a given pile contains an odd or an even number of sticks. If correct, he wins a point. If not, the “dealer” wins the point.

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Four-stick game: The four sticks are arranged in one of a number of possible combinations, hidden under a blanket or large basket. Player A guesses first and Player B manipulates the sticks. The game has several possible rounds. Possible outcomes of the rounds:

1. First guess for Player A:

• Player A guesses correctly: Player A wins 0, 1 or 2 counters according to the value of the guess. Player B then arranges the four sticks a second time for A to guess again.
  
• Player A guesses incorrectly: In this case Player A loses a counter and Player B arranges two sticks (one large and one small) for Player A to guess again.
  

2. Second guess for Player A:

• Four sticks arranged: outcomes as above for first guess
  
• Two sticks arranged:
  
  • Player A guesses correctly: Player A wins no counters, but takes over manipulation of the sticks
    
  • Player B guesses incorrectly: Player A loses a counter and Player B again arranges the two sticks for Player A to guess again.
    

Point values for various arrangements:

• Sticks laid out as or Correct guess - win one counter. This ordering was known as Vuish
• or Correct guess win 0 counters
  
• or Correct guess win 2 counters
  

Hidden ball game: Each player begins with a set number of sticks (counters) - usually around 20. The object is to guess where the marked object is hidden on the third guess. Scoring is as follows:

Guess correct location on first guess - lose 4 sticks

Guess correct location on second guess - lose 3 sticks

Guess correct location on third guess - win 4 sticks

If the object is located in the fourth container - lose 4 sticks

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