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 (about 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 (but not into a hole).

The Marble Go Adaptation

Use the 10' Scoreline in your Marble Go kit. Tie three loops: one at each end and one in the center, each about 4 inches in diameter. These loops simulate the traditional holes.

How to Play:

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

  • Four shooter marbles are used for both 2- and 4-player matches. 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, following the same 12-hole sequence as traditional Rolley Hole.

• A “made” hole means the marble stops inside the loop.

• Players may span to reposition before a shot.

  • Players cannot span into a loop.

• Players must knuckle down when exiting a hole to shoot toward the next.

  • When existing a loop to target the next, spanning is allowed and must be perpendicular to or behind the exiting loop.

• 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. 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.