Stick Dice Game

There are many Native American games using stick dice. The Pomo Indians of California played this particular game.

Students may make their own stick dice and decorate a pouch to hold them. Then they can play the game with partners.

Materials Needed:

Tongue depressors (6 per student)

Markers

Chart or paper printed with the scoring rules.

Cups or containers to hold counters

Procedure:

1.      Draw a pattern on one side of each flat stick.

2.      To play, two players take turns dropping the stick dice on the ground (or floor) and counting the score. Keep score by taking counters from a pile (of 12) on the ground.

3.      The first player to earn all 12 counting sticks is the winner

4.      After students master the scoring system, they may be encouraged to invent variations

Scoring Rules

There is no scoring for any other combination.

Source:  More Than Moccasins  by Laurie Carlson page 111.