| AKA ball in a cup or balero | |
|---|---|
Typical Mexican cup-and-ball |
|
| Players | 1 |
| Age range | 3+ |
| Setup time | None |
| Playing time | About 30 seconds to a few minutes per round |
| Random chance | Low |
| Skill(s) required | Hand-eye coordination |
| Primarily played by young children. | |
Cup-and-ball (or ball in a cup) is a traditional children's toy consisting of a wooden cup with a handle, and a ball which is attached to a string, which is attached to the cup. It is popular in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is called "boliche". The name varies across many countries — in Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico it is called "balero"; in Spain it is "boliche"; in Brazil it is called "bilboquê"; in Chile it is "boliche" or "emboque"; in Colombia it is called "coca" or "ticayo"; and in Venezuela the game is called "perinola".[1] A variant game, Kendama, known in English as Ring and Pin, is popular in Japan.
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A cup-and-ball consists of a small ball (usually made of wood) connected to the handle of the cup by a string of 35 to 40 centimeters. The cup is shaped to fit the ball.[1][2]
The cup-and-ball has its origins in Mexico in the sixteenth century. The game was loved by King Henry III of France. This frivolous monarch was often seen playing in public. After his death, the game went out of fashion. For 100 years the game was only remembered by a small number of enthusiasts such as the Marquis de Biévre.
The game had its golden age during the reign of Louis XV — among the upper classes people owned baleros made of ivory. Actors also sometimes appeared with them in scenes. The game was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The main goal of the game is to get the ball into the cup. While the concept is very easy, mastering the game sometimes requires many hours of practice. To play, the player holds the cup by the handle and lets the ball hang freely. The player then tosses the ball upward by jerking the arm holding the toy, attempting to catch the ball in the cup.
There are several styles of gameplay such as la simple, la doble, la vertical, la mariquita, la puñalada, and la porteña. Some tricks that can be done are capirucho, por atrás, and media vuelta.[1]