Penny Push

Penny Push Game

A very simple but enjoyable game that combines basic physical agility and strategy.

Use 3 coins per player (pennies or dimes best, unless it's a large table) on a smooth tabletop (great for playing at a cafe or pub).

Each player on opposite sides of the table place 3 coins on the table in a triangle, approx. 3 inches apart (one player can be heads and the other tails).

Each player takes turns flicking a coin with his finger so that it passes in between his other two coins, thus moving his triangle step by step across the table. (Flicking can be from behind, or by putting the fingertip on top and pushing in one smooth motion.)

No coin can be moved twice in a row, so with each move the coin must pass far enough between the other two coins to leave enough room for the next move.

The game can end in four ways.

When a player moves a coin, that player loses if:

 The coin fails to pass completely between the other two coins
 The coin falls off the edge of the table, or
 The coin touches any other coin.

That player wins if none of the above occur, and the coin passes completely through two sides of the opposing player's triangle of coins.

The strategy of the game is to move your coins cautiously into range of the other player's coins, putting them in position to take a shot through your opponent's triangle without leaving your coins too far apart and vulnerable to attack. You look for an opening without leaving yourself open. The edge of the table can be used as a defensive position.

The game can be played in matches, playing up to a predetermined number of wins, or best of a set number of games.

Edit: The game can also be played on a large table with multiple players, following the same rules, and any player can take a shot through any of the other player's triangle to eliminate them from the game. The strategy changes so