Rolley Hole: Marble Go Remix

The Traditional Game

Rolley Hole has deep roots in American marble culture—especially in the South.

Played on a clay or dirt court, it’s a game of patience, precision, and partnership. At Marble Go, we believe no great game should be tied to location. That’s why we’ve adapted Rolley Hole into a format you can play with just your Marble Go kit and a little space.

Rolley Hole is played with two teams of two. The court features three holes (sometimes the size varies from about the size of a marble up to 4" wide) in a straight line—typically called the Top Hole, Middle Hole, and Bottom Hole—spaced roughly 10 feet apart. Players must complete a specific 12-hole sequence by rolling their marbles into the holes. Each time you make a hole or hit an opponent’s marble, you earn an extra shot. Strategy matters. You can lay down your turn or span before a shot.

The Marble Go Adaptation

Use the 10' Scoreline in your Marble Go kit. There are two compact formats; three hole (traditional) or two hole. Tie two or three loops: one at each end and one (optionally) in the center, each 2 – 4 inches in diameter. These loops simulate the traditional holes.

Alternatively, you can add a few 1 - 1 1/4 inch split rings (key rings) to your Marble Go kit and use these instead of loops. Use your 10’ Scoreline to measure equal distances between the rings’ placement.

How to Play:

• Use teams of 2 or 4 players (2 total teams).

  • Four marbles are used for both 2- and 4-player matches. Select two sets of two colors or optionally use 4 shooters instead. When playing with 2 total players, each player manages two marbles as if they’re separate players.

• Knuckle down to flick your marble into the loops (rings), following the same 12-hole (loop/ring) sequence as traditional Rolley Hole.

  • In a two-hole format, the game play sequence only progresses from Top Loop to Bottom Loop, alternating between them.

• A “made” hole (loop/ring) means the marble stops or spans inside the hole.

• Players may span to reposition before a shot.

  • Players may span in and when exiting a hole.

• If a marble is out of bounds, it returns to the edge to resume play.

Strategy Carries Over

All the clever tactics of Rolley Hole still apply:

• Assign a “manager” on your team to coordinate moves.

• Use extra shots to block or displace opponents.

• Think two or three shots ahead.

Why This Version Works

This adaptation honors the original game’s depth, while making it accessible in a multitude of environments and spaces through its compact formats. This remix means Rolley Hole is always an option in your Marble Go kit.

It’s the same game—just reimagined for a new generation of play.

Not familiar with the original Rolley Hole game? Start here and come back to this post.