Chair Wars~a possible trial game for London 2012 Olympics

The UK's continuing success in sailing and cycling events at the Beijing Olympics has led to Australian comments that 'the UK only do well at sporting events where you have to sit down'

However, not only does the UK triumph in all the sitting down events it invents the best ones too.

Strange Games is honoured to write about Chair Wars.
Chair Wars is a bizarre attempt to marry Skateboarding and Jousting all with the humble, wheeled office chair. To play you need two ramps positioned so that they join at their lowest points. Now one player sit in an office chair at the top of each slope, facing their opponent and on a start command hurtle themselves towards the other. The objective is to knock the other over onto the ground and avoid toppling yourself, as well as trying to avoid bruised shins or more serious injuries. A successful technique, in this brutal random game, involves getting your office chair to turn before the impact so as to avoid your own legs being hurt as you smash into your opponents shins.
The official website gives a detailed set of rules which include the technical,"Chairs must have a minimum of three wheels and not more than six" and the marvellous,"No additions can be added to chairs such as:sharp objects, lights, or any electrical devices"

We are highlighting Chair Wars now as it is certain to feature as a trial game in the 2012 London Olympics and this will give those whinging Ozzies a chance to start practicing - in the vain hope of winning some medals.

visit the official website: chairwars

Eye Shoe Shirella~chant for playing Spectacular Deaths

If, like me, you still enjoy the odd game of Spectacular Deaths (fall down on the ground and pretend to die in the most spectacular/gruesome/humorous way possible) then you may be interested in this recently discovered,charming, chanted intro to the game. Simply shout out the rhyme...then fall down and expire after the "like this". Probably not the best game to play amongst total strangers who are unaware of what is going on but superb fun everywhere else.

"I know a little Irish girl,named Eye Shoe Shirella
and all the boys on the football team love Eye Shoe Shirella
What's for Dinner?....chicken
What's for afters?...jelly
What's on TV...Scooby
What's on Video...ET
Hows Jermima?...All Right
Died in the fish shop...last night
What did she die of?...raw fish
How did she die?...like this"

Bagheads

Strange Games receives many an email containing lines like this, "Montegue, my child is having a party and says he doesn't want any of those 'boring, cliched, idiotic old-fashioned party games'...what can I do? My son is 5"
One answer is Bagheads...disorientation, humiliation and the odd bruise in one complete party game package. To play simply give all the partygoers an opaque paper bag (grocery shop ones are ideal) and have them place them on their heads. Get players to spread themselves around the room and then everyone must try and locate other players and snatch the bag from their head - no player may hold onto their own bag. Once your bag has been removed you are out of the game. After much chaos, the last bag-headed player remaining wins. And why not make the game even more fun by not telling the winner they have won...see how long it takes them to find out.
Played an odder game? contact Strange Games:montegue_blister@hotmail.co.uk

Chinese Knitting

Trick games are a superb way to have fun whilst annoying enemies and losing friends, and Chinese Knitting is one of the best. To play you need access to some meadow grass - the ideal variety is one in which the seed heads are quite loose and will come off easily if pulled. Pick two stems of grass (with the stems being about six inches in length) and reverse one so that the seed head of one rests against the stem of the other. Now ask an unsuspecting player if they want to play Chinese Knitting. When they agree get them to open their mouth, place the two grass stalks inside so that their stems are against the victims bottom teeth and get them to close their mouths to hold them. They should now have a stalk and a seed head sticking out of each side of their mouth. Now, before they get chance to change their mind, reach up both hands and quickly pull outwards the stems of grass - this forces both seed heads into their mouth, most seeds being plucked from the stems and deposited on their teeth and gums. Run away, quick!
Many thanks to Harvey for bringing this game to the attention of Strange Games

Another trick game covered by Strange Games and involving wild grass is Timothy Torture