Matchboxes

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Matchboxes is a drinking game of skill played around a table. It can be played by any number of people. The aim is to flick the matchbox over one's pint such that it lands on its edge or end.

[edit] Main Rules

Play proceeds around the circle. The player whose turn it is takes the matchbox and holds it, between index and middle finger, behind their pint glass, in some versions below the level of the drink. By smartly straightening the fingers, they try to flip the matchbox over the glass. What happens next depends on how the box lands:

  1. End : If the matchbox lands on its end (smallest face) then four fingers are "added" to the box. Play then continues round the circle.
  2. Edge : If the box lands on an edge (middle-sized face; usually the one with striking paper) then it accumulates two fingers. Play continues.
  3. Side : If the matchbox lands on its side (the largest face) then the thrower must drink the total number of fingers accumulated in the matchbox so far. Once this has taken place the box reverts to zero fingers and play continues. If the box contains no fingers then play simply continues without penalty.

The matchbox may be labelled as a reminder of the numbers. Also an 'R' on one end and one edge may be used to signify that the direction of play should be reversed (if play it was moving anti-clockwise, passing to the right, the box now moves to the left)

A "finger" is the amount of beer, in a straight or "conical" pint glass, covered by one finger on the outside of the glass.

[edit] Variations

Accidentally flicking a matchbox into one's own pint is uncommon, but if it occurs the usual penalty is to finish the pint immediately (after removing the matchbox). Rules dealing with matchboxes knocked off the table vary, from simply retrieving it and rethrowing to Finishing one's pint. In some cases if a player throws the matches into another person's pint, they must down it and buy a replacement. Spilling matches is sometimes also punishable by a fine (often a finger per match). As with many drinking games extra or different rules may be used by specific groups.

If the matchbox is thrown off the table at any point, the person who threw the box has to finish their drink. Throwing the matchbox into your own pint, know as a self-dunk, is punishable by finishing whatever is left in the pint.