Knock Out Variant 1: Snipes – Target Marbles Before the Chaos

Snipes

A Marble Game of Precision, Penalty, and Patience

This variant of Knock Out adds a twist players won’t see coming—until they miss. In Snipes, the goal isn’t just to knock marbles out. First, you have to prove you can do it with extra precision.

Setup:

• Select five Snipes, using marbles of a shared color (white is a favorite).

• Place them in one of two ways:

  • Perimeter Style: Arrange the Snipes in a loose star pattern just outside the grouped marbles.

  • Center Style: Cluster the Snipes in the center of the ring and surround them by the rest.

Objective:

Players must work together—and against each other—to knock out all five Snipes first. Only then can regular marble knockouts count toward scoring.

But here’s the catch:

If any player knocks out a regular (non-Snipe) marble before all Snipes are out, that marble counts as a penalty. You still have to remove it from the ring, but the Player loses one point from their final score.

Once the Snipes are gone, normal Knock Out rules resume. Players take turns knocking out as many marbles as possible until all are out.

Scoring:

• +1 point per marble knocked out after the Snipes.

• −1 point penalty for every marble knocked out before all Snipes are cleared.

Why Play Snipes?

This game creates a fun new tension. You’ll need finesse, not force. Striking too hard might ricochet a regular marble out and cost you. You’ll need accuracy, control, and sometimes a bit of teamwork to clear the Snipes before the fun begins.

The perimeter style works well for beginners—Snipes are easier to aim for. The center style is harder, requiring subtle shots and fine control to avoid scattering the field.

Either way, Snipes adds a fun pause-and-plan element to the Knock Out rhythm. It's a great way to shake up your game and test your skills.