54 - Games - Pittoo and Chozhi (in Tamil)

Continuing with the games that I had played during my childhood, here are 2 more that I enjoyed!

Pittoo – This is played outdoors in a park or a ground.  You need 7 stones, preferably flat ones that can be arranged one above the other.  Marble stones are preferable as they are flat.  And one tennis ball.  This is a team game. You can have any number between 3-7 in a team.  In the center of the ground, the 7 stones are placed one above the other, as displayed below.

A toss is done to determine which team gets to hit the stones first.  The hitter of the team stands some 15 feet away from the stones and throws the ball to hit the stones.  A player of the opposition team stands some 15 feet away from the stone, on the opposite side, to catch the ball in case the player is not able to hit the ball.  In case the player is not able to hit the ball 3 times, he is declared out and does not participate further as long as his team is hitting.  The next player from his team then comes to throw the ball.  In case the ball hits the stone and is caught by any of the opposition team member, without the ball touching the ground, even then the player is declared out.

The objective of the game is to hit the stones to break the structure and then re-assemble the stones again, one over the another.  You have to ensure that the structure is standing and does not fall once you complete it!!  Once the structure of the stones is broken, the player’s team rushes to the middle of the ground where the stones are and will try to make them stand one over the other.  In case they are able to make the structure again with 7 stones standing one over the other, they call out “Pittoo” and are awarded one point.  In the meantime, the opposition team members have to pick up the ball and try to hit the opposition players before they are able to complete the pittoo!  In case any of the player gets hit, he is declared out and the game again starts without the player participating.  The players making the structure have to ensure that they don’t get hit by the ball while making the structure!! 

The game continues till one team gets all out and then the other team gets to hit the stones.  The game is enjoyable and you can consider it time well spent as long as you are playing the game!!

Chozhi – This is what it is called in Tamil.  See the photo below to know what I am talking about!!  It is an indoor game, played in sitting position and can be played between 2-8 players.  Minimum is 2 or you can also play it alone for time-pass!!  There are 4 chozhis and with that you play and score.  Whoever reaches 100 first is declared the winner!!  Figure (a) below is a closed chozhi and the figure (b) is an open chozhi. 

You can either score 0,1,2,4 or 8 in the game.  Please see the photos below for how to calculate the scores.

You shake the 4 chozhis in your hand like a dice and then throw it on the ground.  When you get a 0, you lose your turn and the other player plays.  When you get a 1, you remove the 2 open chozhis and then hit the two closed chozis to get 1 point.  That is like in a carrom board, you assume one chozhi is the striker and then use it to hit the other chozhi! In case you hit it, you get a point, else you are declared out and the other person gets his chance.  In case you get a 2, then you can hit two closed chozhis and then hit the open chozhi with the closed one.  If you miss a hit, then you lose your turn and the other player plays.  You have to ensure that you do not hit any third chozhi while hitting the two!! In case you hit any other chozhi, you are out and the next player plays!!  When you get a 4, just add it to the score and throw the chozhis again.  When you get an 8, just add it to the score and then throw the chozhis again.

A full time-pass game with no costly items!! 

Cheers!!

Today’ Daffy Definition

Cigarette – A thin paper tube with fire at one end and a fool at the other!!