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Ashta Chamma ( Chowka Bhara )

Ashta Chamma ( Chowka Bhara )

Contents:

4 sets of 4 coins (total 16)

4 wooden cowries

This game can be played by either 2, 3, or 4 players. Each player gets 4 coins of the same colour and keeps them in his home

Goal: To reach one’s all 4 coins to the innermost square, the first player gets an extra turn to play.

The throw of four wooden cowries:

  • 1 flat side up                   –    move 1 square
  • 2 flat sides up                 –    move 2 Squares 
  • 3 flat side up                   –    move 3 Squares
  • 4 flat side up(chemma)   –   move 4 squares & play Again
  • No flat side up (astha)    –   move 8 squares & play Again

How to play:

  1. The board is always kept in the centre during the game
  2. Each player has a different starting point and initially keeps all his coins there (marked by ‘X’ on his side).
  3. Each player takes turns throwing all four cowrie shells on the floor and moves one of his coins according to the number indicated by the shells.
  4. Movement of coins is in an anti-clockwise direction in outer squares and then in a clockwise direction in inner squares as shown by the dotted-arrow line in the diagram.
  5. If a player’s coin lands on a square occupied by an opponent’s coin, then the opponent’s coin is cut and the player gets an extra turn to play.
  6. The cut coin returns to its starting home square and has to go round all over again.
  7. The crossed squares (home squares) though, are safe places and no coins present here can be cut.
  8. When a coin reaches the square left of its home square, it chamma or an ashta before he can start moving his coins,further moves up into the inner squares and now moves in not necessary to throw chamma or ashta for each coin. clockwise direction.
  9. Each coin finishes its race when it manages to get into the innermost crossed square.
  10. The first player to get all his coins into the innermost square wins the game.

Extra Turn:

    • Whenever a Chamma ( four) or an Ashta ( Eight) is got during a throw of cownrietses, the player gets a betsonus turn to play by throwing the cowries.
    • When a player cuts opponent’s coin. he gets an extra turn to play.
    • During an extra turn, either the same coin or some other coin can be played.

Benefits:  This is primarily a game of chance but involves thinking and planning, It also helps in developing counting skills it is an interesting and fun way to develop strategy skills.