Tock - Rules
Due to a constant demand for the last two years, I have finally made the rules for Tock available. As far as I know Tock is a variant of Ludo or Petits Chevaux both derived from Parchisi, a game from India. These games were brought over to America by the first settlers. For some odd reason, settlers in Quebec decided to do away with the dice and use playing cards instead to control the movement. Over the years they increased the complexity of the movements. And so was born the game of Tock. Through the internet the game is gaining popularity in the States and particularly in France. In other parts of the world variants may also be called Wampoo. If you have any information please e-mail me at DanyG@levalet.com
Boards made in Quebec are available in different sizes and for 4 - 6 or 8 players: see Prices for Tock Games
Rules for 4 players
1 wooden board, 16 marbles of 4 different colors, a deck of cards (not included with the board).
2 to 4 players or in teams.
Start:
When the game is played by 4 players:
Number of cards ot be dealt: 52. 5 cards are dealt on the first turn, 4 cards on each of the 2 following turns. And then, the cards are shuffled once more to continue the play.
When the game is played by 3 players:
5 cards are dealt on the first turn, 4 cards on each of the 3 following turns, and the last card is discarded.
When the game is played by 2 players:
5 cards are dealt on the two first turns, 4 cards on each of the 4 following turns.
Value of the cards:
Ace: Allows to start or to move forward one space at any time.
King: Allows to start or to move forward 13 spaces at any time
Queen: Allows to start forward 12 spaces
Jack: Allows to start forward 11 spaces
Cards from 2 to 10: Allows to start forward according to the value of the card
Object of the game:
Make a complete round of the game board by starting on the space marked "18" (Start), in order to succeed in placing your 4 marbles on the space called "Home" (see definition) which is numbered 1.2.3.4. and in front of every player.
The Play
The player must have in his hand an Ace or a King. If a player does not have any of these 2 cards, he must place his cards in the centre of the game board and wait for the next deal.
Moving the marbles:
If one player's marble stops on an occupied space, he must take away the marble from that space and place it in the space marked "Break" according to the color of the marble removed. When a player has more than one marble on the game board, he can move the one of his choice. On the track, a player can jump over his own marbles and the ones belonging to the other players, except for those that are in the protected zone called "Home" numbered 1.2.3.4.
Definitions:
"Break"
This is the space to the left of each player, where the marbles are placed waiting to be played. The arrow indicates the starting point.
"Start"
The number 18 in front of the player.
"Home"
There the 4 vertical holes in front of the player.
"Heaven"
The circle in the middle of the board.
Shortcuts:
When his marble stops on an "8", and with the help of an Ace, a 10 or a King, the player has the right to go to "Heaven".
From "Heaven", it is possible to return to any "8" or "Heaven", the rule mentioned in the paragraph Moving the marbles is applicable.
Advanced rules for a greater challenge:
1- With a 4, one always goes back 4 spaces.
2- With a 10, one exchanges a marble with the opponent of his choice: this allows the player to advance faster.
3- With a Jack, the player to the left discards one card and skips his turn.
When playing as a team (2 against 2):
When a player has succeeded in placing all of his marbles in the space marked "Home", he can help his partner to play his marbles in order to win the game.
Dirty Tock a variant sent by Barbara Lewicki
All the rules you have are the same there are only a few different things. The king moving 13 spaces sends anything in its path to their home as if they got knocked off except your own marbles of course. Then 4 's always go backwards. they cant move backwards out of home though so you can get out of start then play a 4 and go backwards to the other side of your home. Next Jacks are either 11 or they are use to swap your marble with any other marble on the board. and last 7's we split between any two of your own marbles. This is the only time moving 4 goes forward . Sometimes we decide to play saying the 7 gets split between your marble and someone else's. When we play this version there is no using the middle spot. Actually we play on our homemade board from one of my great uncles in Actonvale Canada and we make up different rules to change the play around and liven it up a bit.
Rules for 6 players
Tock for 6 players from Gladius
Variant for 8 players
Tock for 8 players Variant from Frank Gaudet
Enjoy the game
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