Tiddlywinks
A strategic game of flicking winks into a pot.
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Tiddlywinks is a competitive game played on a flat felt mat with small discs called winks, a pot, and squidgers. Players use a squidger to flick winks into the air, aiming to pot their own winks while squopping (covering) opponents' winks to prevent them from scoring.
Background
The game began as a Victorian parlour game. John Jaques and Son were the exclusive distributors.
Competition was fierce, with other publishers issuing versions under names like Spoof, Flipperty Flop, and Jumpkins. It became a popular craze in the 1890s, played by adults and children. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, public perception shifted toward viewing it as a simple children's game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tiddlywinks?
Tiddlywinks is a flick-based competitive game in which players use a flat tool called a squidger to pop small disc-shaped pieces (winks) into a central pot. It is played on a felt mat and blends offensive potting with defensive blocking of an opponent's pieces.
What equipment do you need to play Tiddlywinks?
A standard setup includes a set of small disc-shaped winks, a central pot, one or more squidgers, and a felt mat measuring roughly six feet by three feet. Competitive play uses higher-grade versions of each component compared to the simpler children's kit.
What is 'squopping' in Tiddlywinks?
Squopping is the tactical act of landing your own wink on top of an opponent's to block it from being potted. It is a core defensive move that makes the game a strategic contest rather than a simple potting exercise.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Tiddlywinks (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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