Stick gambling

Stick gambling is a traditional hand game played by many indigenous people, with the rules varying among each group. It would typically be played when diverse groups would meet on the trail. Games could last for several days during which prized matches, shot, gunpowder, or tobacco would be staked. Traditionally only men would take part, but in modern games, both genders are able to play.

Two equally sized teams kneel on the ground facing one another. On one side, the players hide a token (idzi) in their fist. The token's passed back and forth between fists. Drummers behind provide music and sing gambling songs. When the captain on the opposing team claps there hands, the drumming ceases and the players show their fists. [1]

The captain then uses a hand signal to guess which hand the token is in, against all opposing players at once. A correct guess eliminates that player, and each player who has not been eliminated receives a counting stick. When all opposing players have eliminated the right to hide the idzi passes to the other team. The game ends when one of the teams have two of the three 'judge sticks'.

The Yukon Territory First Nations in Canada holds many annual Hand games, or Stick Gambling Tournaments, in which both genders play.

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