Traditional Irish Ringboard - Full Size

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Ringboards for Schools

‘The game of rings should be considered for all schools throughout the world as a brilliant teaching

aid.’

-The World Ringboard Academy.

Ringboards are excellent tools for…

-developing organizational skills

The class could be allowed to organize and run its own tournaments

-practicing mental arithmetic

The rules of ringboard necessitate quick mental arithmetic and hand to eye co-ordination, while

promoting safe fun.

-improving skill and competitiveness

Each class could run a mini-tournament to find the best player. Then perhaps each class could pick a

team of their six best players to play the other classes. On sports day tournaments could be organized

to find the best player in the school. Also, tournaments could be organised between schools

It was recommended recently in the UK that schools introduce dartboards to help pupils with mental

arithmetic skills, but a far better game for this purpose is the traditional Irish game of Rings.

Players must stand a certain distance from the board when throwing rings, and the ringboard itself

must hang at a certain height. World Ringboard Academy rules call for a distance of 259cm and a

height of 178cm to the base of the 13 hook. However, we feel that for children up to the age of 9 an

approximate distance of 160cm and height of 140cm are more suitable. F0r adults and children over 9

a distance of 180cm and a height of 160cm should provide a good challenge.

There are three Ringboard games in particular that are very suitable for schools:

1. Beginner game 1 (50 Plus) – The player that reaches or exceeds a pre-agreed number (e.g.50)

wins.

2.Beginner Game 2 (High Score)The highest score after each player has thrown 3 sets of rings wins.

3. Thirty-one – The first player to reach a score of 31 using as few rings as possible, e.g. if a player

hooks a 10 then a 9 he must add these together to get his total score so far (19) and subtract this

from 31 to find which number he must hook to win (12). If he hangs no.5 he must subtract this from

12 and now he knows he must hang no.7 to win, thereby getting the player quickly using mental

arithmetic.

As skills levels develop and increase players can move on to the more traditional games of ‘Round the

Clock’ (hang each number in sequence, from 1 to 13) and ‘100 + 1’ (players must reach 100 points,

then hang the no. 1 to win)

This could eventually lead to competing in the All Ireland Ringboard Championships, which are held

annually in Co. Clare, All England Ringboard Championships or even the World Ringboard

Championships, usually held in the autumn.

Board comes with 13 Hooks and 6 Rings and instructions.

Full Size Ringboard measurements: 42cm x 35cm

The tools: Each board features 13 metal hooks, each with a value of 1-13 points. Players stand as far away as they

would for a game of darts and throw six rings at the board (Torpy uses rubber rings from beer kegs as a cheaper alternative to metal rings).

The scoring: After throwing the six rings, players tally their points. Play to any number, usually a multiple of 100.

The Nomination Number: Say you’re playing to 200. Once you hit 187 or higher, you’ve reached your “nomination

number.” At that point, you need to nail the final score exactly. So if 190 is your nomination number, only a 10 can get you to 200. And if your ring lands on an 8, it doesn’t count and your turn is over. “It slows down the game so that everyone can catch up, or grab another beer,” Torpy said.

The end: Once you hit the final number, they game still isn’t over. You then need to hit the No. 1 hook three times

with your ring. The rings can be tossed underhand, but Torpy noticed the better players in Ireland threw the rings overhand, similar to how you throw a dart.

Young and old alike delight in the fun, laughter, and friendly competition "Rings" generates. I realized that all the events came together for a reason: my vision of young and active adults playing "Rings", fostering friendships, and enjoying their community, while stimulating their mental and physical activity is now realized.

I knew I needed to share this vision with like-minded Americans, so "Hooked on Rings" was born...from Irish tradition and now proudly manufactured in the USA with a fine hardwood finish that will complement any decor...just for you!

I hope you enjoy the game, have fun and make new friends in the process. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, so please write or send me pictures at