Floor Based Skittles - Floor Based (any floor area)

Western Skittles - Team Game

(Bristol pins)

NB carpet also used by Carpet Bowls 1

Format - Teams of 4, (Pairs select)

Dimensions - 37 ft x 6 ft thick felt carpet with padded wooden backboard

This is a full size version of the traditional West country game.

A thick, felt roll-up carpet provides an alley width of 6 feet. This allows the skittles to be set out at the recommended spacing. A padded backoard stops the ball and catches fallen skittles.

Each player bowls 3 composition balls (which, along with the alley itself, makes for a quieter game).

Knock the skittles over to score points. Team with highest skittle count per turn scores 1 point.

If level points at the end then the total skittles downed during the whole game wins.

Corks

Format - 2 player Singles. Pairs.

Throw 3 corks from 7 feet awayat the 5 standing corks to remove them from the marked circle.  The standing corks score from 1 to 5 points.  Corks must land on the hardboard base first to make a legal throw. This miniature version of Irish Skittles is played in league form in South Wales.

Any Floor Area (with carpet protection)

Long Alley Skittles - Team Game

(Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire)

Format -  Teams of 4, (Pairs select)

Dimensions - Throwing distance of 30 ft -  4 ft x 4 ft diamond landing area and padded wooden backboard.  The area around the landing area should be carpeted.

The Derbyshire version of Long Alley using original rustic balls and skittles.

3 large wooden balls are thrown full toss to land in amongst the skittles, on the 4 ft diamond shaped landing area.

Each player scores 1 point for his team if he beats his opponent's total of skittles knocked down.

Alternative equipment - indoors (pic above right)

Slightly smaller candlepins and smaller balls can be used, with the skittles spaced closer together towards the centre of the diamond.  The gameplay and scoring system remains the same.

Kegel 'type' Alley - Team Game

(Germany / Australia)

Format - Teams of 4, (Pairs select)

Dimensions - 24 ft lane length - can be reduced to either 20 ft or 16 ft. Skittle standing area adds another 6 ft.

Kegel alleys or 'kegelbahn' come in various configurations and sizes.  Common to them all is the narrow alley width (this alley is 14.5" wide), the delivery 'gate' and unusual scoring system. These all provide the added ingredients to this continental skittling game.

3 balls each are bowled underarm onto the alley before the white line. Skittles are reset after every ball.

Points awarded are dependent on not just how many skittles are knocked down but also what configuration of skittles remain standing. Scores from 1 up to 60 are possible per ball.

1 point deducted for balls leaving the alley (into the gutter) before reaching the skittle standing area.

Carpeted Floor Area Only

Medieval Skittles

Format – 2, 3 or 4 player Singles, Pairs

Bowling Distance - 11 feet to front pins

The skittles are positioned square on to the bowler (pic 1).  Each player rolls 4 balls on their turn. The points for knocking a skittle over on its own are shown in the diagram.   If more than one skittle is knocked over by one ball then only 1 point per skittle is scored.  Fallen skittles are removed between balls. If the larger central skittle is knocked over, it may be stood up again before the next ball.  If all the skittles have been knocked over before the 4th ball then they may be reset. The player / team to reach an agreed score exactly wins.  If a player busts then the score at the start of the turn is returned to.

Parlour Carpet Skittles

Format - 2, 3 or 4 player Singles, Pairs

Dimensions - 12 ft distance to front pin.

Two wooden balls are rolled at the 9 skittles. The highest pin score over a set number of turns decides the winner. 

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Table Based Skittles - Table Top

Table Skittles (Devils)

- Table Skittles 1 (Tournament size) , Lindop Table Skittles (Tournament size), Jaques Home Table Skittles, Table Skittles 4

Format - 2 player Singles, Pairs

Dimensions - 3ft x 2ft MAX size to 2ft x 15" plus room for ball to swing

Arrangement - Play from one end only 

Requires Table Top

Ball on chain is released to left of upright to swing back into front skittle first.  3 swings each per turn.

First to 61 wins after equal turns.

Daddlums

Format – 2 player Singles. Pairs

Dimensions - 5ft 6" long by 25" wide.  Height of approx 24" (suitably high table required)

Custom-made

3 ‘cheeses’ are thrown at the 3” high pins from a distance of 9 feet.  The pins are set back 40 inches from the front of the table to allow the cheeses to slide into the skittles.  A set amount of cheeses per player comprises a life. 3 or 5 lives make up a leg. The winner of the most legs wins the game.

Toptafel

Format - 2 player Singles, Pairs

Dimensions - 4ft x 2ft

Arrangement - Play from one end only

Requires Table Top

A spinning top is released from its front cubicle to collide with skittles in other compartments, either scoring or losing points.

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