Handy
Handy Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Quick Rules
- Stack 5 balls of one color in a ball holder between each of the players.
- Each set of balls will be shared by the players on either side of the pile – each player is on two separate teams!
- Deal 1 set of matching finger cards to each player.
- Players shuffle personal set of finger cards.
- Player with the smallest hand starts the game by turning over a finger card. The player on his or her immediate left also turns over a card.
- These players hold 1 ball between the fingers shown on the cards, each using only one of their hands.
- Now, the player who last drew a finger card draws another card and repeats this process with the player to their left using the same hand they used with the previous player.
- A "hand tree" will form in the middle with all players holding balls simultaneously.
- If a ball is dropped OR a team has no more cards or balls, one of the team's balls is removed from the game and all teams place their balls back into their ball holders and play continues from the left of losing team – all players shuffle their finger cards!
- The game ends when a team places their last (fifth) ball in the box.
- Players add the total balls on both sides of them to generate their total score.
- The teammate with the most points wins!
Note: Quick Rule 12 is printed as "the teammate with the most points wins." The full rules under Game End & Scoring say the player with the highest total wins. Both are transcribed as printed.
Object of Game
Come one, come all to see the amazing Handy game! Players will be forced to steadily hold multiple balls between their fingers while more and more balls are added to the "hand tree." Can you hold steady long enough to win? Will your nerves give out? Be the teammate that drops the fewest balls and win!
Components
- 30 Balls in 6 Colors
- 6 Sets of 5 Finger Cards – Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring and Pinkie
- 6 Ball Holders
Setting Up the Game
Place 5 balls of one color in a ball holder between each player. Each set of balls will be shared by the players on either side of the pile, forming a team of two. This will make each player a teammate with the player on their left, and also the player on their right (a separate team). However, players will score individually at the end of the game. Next, give each player a set of 5 finger cards. Shuffle the cards and place them face down into a draw pile.
Playing the Game
The player with the smallest hand starts the game. He or she must turn over the first card in their draw pile. In clockwise order, the first player's teammate to their left also draws a card from their own pile. Once both players from this team have drawn a finger card, they must then hold a ball (from their shared pile) between the fingers shown on the card. Use only the finger shown on the card drawn, as other fingers are used later in the round.
Remember: Players may choose either hand to hold the balls, but one hand must remain free to turn over cards.
Note: The two players drawing cards may play only using the balls from their shared pile, which will often not correspond to the colors shown on the cards. The cards are colored for easy sorting and game setup.
Example: Julia draws a thumb card and Ryan draws an index finger card. They take a ball from the pile between them and hold it into position with one of their hands. Now Ryan draws ANOTHER card, a pinkie card, and Cindy draws a middle finger card. Ryan, using the same hand he used to hold a ball with Julie, now holds a ball with Cindy adding to the "hand tree."
Note: All balls must be held apart from each other in the hand tree.
If a ball touches another ball in the tree, it is automatically considered "dropped." Also, once a ball is steadied between the fingers of the players, and the person placing the ball between the fingers lets go of the ball, no other fingers (on either hand) can touch or steady the ball or it is automatically considered "dropped." Once this team has comfortably held this ball in place for a few seconds, the next team of two draws one card each and connects those fingers with a ball of their color.
Play continues as described in a clockwise direction, until a ball is dropped or a team has no balls or cards left to play. The team that has no more cards or balls left to play or whose ball dropped to the table first must lose a ball by placing it in the game box. All teams now return their balls to their ball holders. As before, all players shuffle their finger cards and place them face down.
Starting to the left of the team who just placed a ball in the box, play continues in the same way as described earlier, creating a new "hand tree."
Example: 5 players are playing Handy. A large hand tree is formed in the middle of the table with multiple balls. The turn comes around to Cindy and Susan (sitting to Cindy's left), but they do not have any balls left in their ball holder. The game stops and Cindy and Susan place a ball from their holder in the box. The round continues with Susan and Jenn (sitting to Susan's left) starting a new "hand tree."
Game End & Scoring
The game ends when a team places their last (fifth) ball in the box. Then, all other teams gather up the balls for final scoring. Each player calculates his own score by adding the number of balls on his left, with the number of balls on his right. The player with the highest total wins! If there's a tie, the player sitting closest to the immediate left of the team that lost all 5 balls (and ended the game) is the winner!
Tips
Each player is on two separate teams. Therefore, each player will draw a card and connect with one teammate, then draw another card to connect with their other teammate (to their left) on the following turn.
Handy is best played in a large group of between 4-6 players! Three players can play this game, but the fun really happens when you have 4 or more!
Want to extend the fun? Simply play 2 or 3 games and tally each player's score at the end of several games.
Game Information
- Players: 3-6
- Time to Play: 30 minutes
- Ages: 8 and up