Fun Eighties/80's Game - How to Play Chinese Jacks or Jax

[andrewlee332]

this is called stupid gongi

[fasolplanetarium]

Excellent, thank you.

[beckigreen]

This is exactly how we played it in Tennessee in the early 80's in elementary school.

[philipfoxe1951]

We played this game on the street in Ireland in the 50's and we couldn't believe that people actually BOUGHT them. We always used stones which were kind of smooth and bulky to make them easy to pick up. You chose your own stones on your travels and soaked them in water to make them dark and shiny. Just tried to play a game today and found that I still had the skill. It takes a lot of practice to get good.

[smk2u71]

Check out wackyjax (dot) net... for purchase and directions!

[aschmies87]

i'm in korea.. so maybe it's a little different, but here you're definitely supposed to throw the first jack up, grab another (or however many depending on the round) and catch the one you threw up. that's why it's difficult.. you have to grab them and get your hand back to catch the one you threw! not just throw it up and let it fall to the ground again.

[Baletarma]

Thank you so much for posting this, I totally remember playing this in the late 70's, early 80's. I'm buying a set for my kids and I to play soon.

[smk2u71]

They are now available with instructions at wackyjax.net for $5 pack of 50!

[BOLDLYGO2007]

You made my wife smile! She always talks about Chinese Jacks. I've seen them, but I didn't know it was a game. You brought back some fond memories! Thanks!

[chanbunnii]

.....THATS NOT HOW U PLAY...

[3991RUNESCAPE]

wow your amazing

[seance13]

...HOLY COW! this game looks tricky!

[gimbel10]

She is a pro!

[cjt92530]

Visit buychinesejacks(dot)com and there is a link to buy lost of them on ebay!!!

[ZProGamer]

P.S. the real way is way harder and more fun

[ZProGamer]

wtf this is not how you play chinese jacks -.-

[NJSAG1]

THANKS!!! Looked all over for the rules and LOVE this game! Can't wait to show my daughter (who's 6)...if I could only find some chinese jax!

[ZProGamer]

@NJSAG1 its ez if you live in NYC then you find it ez but if not than be creative and make your own [i like making my own because its creative]

[jilliesmom]

Does anybody know where to buy Chinese Jacks?? We used to buy them at the corner market as a kid back in the '70's

[anotheraka]

All we did was amass them in a big shoe box, we had a FULL shoes box of them. We'd make jewelry, chains and curtains out of ours. We never played "jacks" with them.

[alize70]

thank u for posting i hd a flashback..lol I have to find these again..

[f2ar]

thank you so much for posting! I had purchased some on e-bay and could remember how to play. It didn't come with directions. I grew up in SoCal and we played it a little differently but there are some similarities. thank you again!

[charleswiser009]

wow its very different! lol

[beckigreen]

I grew up in Nashville (Still live here) and this is EXACTLY how we played. Thanks for making this and this is the best way to play.

[terryseviltwin]

Thanks for posting! I was trying to teach this to my daughter and there are all kinds of variations out there on how to play. When I saw that you grew up in SoCal I had my fingers crossed that you played the same way I did since I grew up in SoCal too (although I am a child of the 70's)... Mine went a little different, but your instructions are the closest! Thanks!!

[chakathu]

Not the way I played Chin. Jax, though your explanation was very clear. My version: throw down the jacks. Throw YOUR jack in the air, pick up one jack and catch your original jack. Do this until all the jacks are gone. Then, throw up your jack, pick up 2 and catch your jack before it hits the ground. You do the same for the remaining jacks.Then 3, then 4. At the end catch the jacks on the back of your hand (like video), then throw them up and catch them in your palm to get the points.

[bubbanme4]

I was just reminded that I played this as a teen in the 80's. I remembered the name of the game but I could not remember the way it looked or how it was played. Thanks so much for sharing this video. Your video explanation is terrific!