BONUS: Bloodsticks - The Rules

Didn’t get rich like I hoped, but I have enough for food and drink until I can get another job. That’s good enough.

As a BONUS, our New Yoke Times Bestselling Author, Höbin Luckyfeller has collected the rules to playing the game of BLOODSTICKS….for your enjoyment.

Enjoy.

When Höbin is contracted to research the popular game of chance, he quickly learns the truth surrounding its history is anything but. Circumstances unfold faster than he can anticipate, pulling Höbin from his assignment and thrusting him into the shadows of intrigue, magic…and murder.

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Bloodsticks: The Rules

The following rules are an official standard, used by betting houses and used by side bookies. This game can be played anywhere there is an open, flat, dry surface.

We always recommend that someone act as “muscle”, just in case someone gets bitter and causes problems. Though Bloodsticks is intended to be a friendly game, some players might get irritated when they lose — just like any game of chance where money is involved. 

Aspects of the game:

• The length of a game comprises rounds, betting, dropping & counting.

• The number of rounds is equal to the number of players.

• There is a required minimum of three players to play a proper game, a maximum of six — with the optimum number being five. Games of two players are called “challenges” and go by slightly different rules (see modifications below).

• Each player uses a pair of sticks (also called reeds or bloodsticks — plural form), which are identical to each another in markings. Challenges use five reeds (see modifications below).

• The object of the game is to accumulate the most points, through the random fall of your pieces. The player who accumulates the most points after all rounds are completed and added together is the winner.

• Each player receives a turn to lead the round as a “dropper” and to follow the round as a “counter”. 

• They place a "cap" on every game for betting, preventing richer players from driving out opposition at the last minute by placing a bet that cannot be matched. The default cap for a Bloodsticks game is five silver pieces per round. Players can use any cap limit, as long as they announce and agree upon the terms before the first sticks are thrown.

Pieces of the game:

Each player uses a “set”, which is typically two sticks/reeds, unless playing a challenge (see modifications below). Normally, whatever gambling house you play in provides the sticks, but many addicts and professional players have their own sets made.