British pub games

Pub culture is an integral part of British life. Pubs are a place to go to socialise, relax and have a drink. It is something you should experience if you want to learn about Brits and our culture, even if you don't drink alcohol. Going to pubs is fun.

In many pubs there is also the option to play games, so I thought I'd highlight three of these, some of which are more common than others.

Skittles

Skittles is played indoors usually with several (most commonly nine) skittles, or small bowling pins. The general object of the game is to use a disc to knock over the skittles. Exact rules vary widely on a regional basis.

Also known as 'Old English Skittles', the Greater London version uses nine pins (made of wood) and a thick circular disc known as a 'cheese'. The cheese is thrown at the pins using a swinging motion whilst stepping forwards. Each player throws three cheeses, in an attempt to beat the previous thrower's score.

Bar billiards

Bar billiards in its current form started in the UK in the 1930s and now has leagues in Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Kent, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Suffolk and Northamptonshire. There are also leagues in Guernsey and Jersey where the annual world championships take place.

Bar billiards involves scoring points by potting balls in holes on the playing surface of the table rather than in pockets.

Although the number of pubs which offer Bar Billiards is declining, a pool table is still available in many, many pubs.

Darts

Modern darts was invented by a carpenter from Lancashire named Brian Gamlin in 1896. ... Darts began as a military pastime originating in England during the medieval era in the first couple of decades of the fourteenth century.

The board was designed with the idea that by placing large numbers next to small numbers mistakes are heavily penalised. For example, if you aim for 20 and are off target, you will score five or one which are either side of the 20.

Each player starts with a score of 501 and takes turns to throw 3 darts. The score for each turn is calculated and deducted from the players total. The winner is the player who reaches zero first.

Darts is still very popular, with many pubs belonging to leagues where teams compete against each other.

So which of these have you tried or would like to try? Please let me know.

Until next time......

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