Classic Marble Game: Ringer
Ringer is the classic marble game where players aim to knock marbles out of a circle using their shooter marble. Often times when someone wants to know “how to play marbles”, this is the game they’re referring to. It’s not just a childhood pastime – Ringer has been the centerpiece of the National Marbles Tournament for decades. Since 1922, the tournament has attracted marble players of all ages, competing to master this traditional game. Whether you’re playing for fun or preparing for a tournament, knowing the rules of Ringer is the first step to becoming a marble champion!
We love our Marble Go games, but some people may just want the rules to some of the classics. Here they are in 2 forms: short and long.
Ringer Rules (Simplified)
Objective: Knock marbles out of a large circle using your shooter marble. The player who knocks out the most marbles wins.
Setup: Place 13 marbles in an "X" shape in the center of a 10-foot circle. Players lag to decide who goes first by tossing their shooter closest to a line.
Shooting: Players crouch or kneel outside the circle and flick their shooter with a knuckle touching the ground. The goal is to knock target marbles out of the circle.
Scoring: Players earn one point for each marble they knock out. If a player knocks out seven or more marbles in the first round, they automatically win.
Turn Continuation: If a player knocks out marbles and their shooter stays inside the circle, they can keep shooting. If the shooter exits the circle, the turn ends.
Winning: The game ends after six rounds, or when a player knocks out seven marbles.
Ringer Rules (Longer version)
1. Objective
The goal is to knock marbles out of the ring using a shooter marble. The player with the most marbles knocked out by the end of the game wins.
2. Equipment
Shooter: Each player has a distinct shooter marble, ½” to ¾” in diameter. It must be made of glass or stone (e.g., agate), not metal.
Target Marbles: 13 marbles, 5/8” in diameter, usually made of glass.
3. The Ring
A 10-foot diameter circle is marked inside a 12-foot square playing area with a concrete surface and wooden border.
The 13 target marbles are arranged in the center in an "X" shape, spaced 3 inches apart – sometimes using a template called the "Rack."
4. Lagging
To determine who goes first, players toss their shooter toward a lag line. The player whose shooter lands closest to the line shoots first.
5. Shooting
Players kneel or crouch outside the ring, with at least one knuckle touching the ground at the moment of release.
The shooter is flicked from the knuckle. The goal is to hit target marbles and knock them out of the ring.
6. Scoring
One point is awarded for each marble knocked completely out of the circle.
A turn continues if the shooter remains inside the ring after knocking out marbles. The next shot must be made from the position the shooter stopped.
If the shooter exits the circle, the turn ends.
If a player knocks out 7 or more marbles in the first inning, they automatically win ("stick").
7. Game Duration
A game consists of 6 rounds (also called “innings” or “frames” – each player shooting once per round).
If scores are tied after 6 rounds, up to 2 more rounds may be played.
If still tied, players will lag to determine the winner.
Now that you've learned the classic rules of Ringer, why not try out another exciting marble game? Check out Marble Go’s Knock Out, a Ringer-inspired game that puts your marble skills to the test!
