Rules to Nickels

Equipment Needed:
1. nickel
2. good surface[1]
3. whiskey glass[2]
4. 5 people[3]

Rules

Play begins with whoever has the nickel and shoots it; it doesn’t much matter who goes first. It could be a disadvantage, the careless are the usually the first to shoot. Before the first Player shoots, they should fill the cup. You probably don't want to start by filling it to the brim, but this is entirely up to you.

The Player shooting [4] the nickel must first call out or make known to the other players at the table who he is Targeting. When the Target is known, then the Player can bounce the nickel, If the nickel…

…goes in the cup,
the Target drinks the entire cup
(don’t swallow the nickel [5] ),
refills the cup with as much drink as he wants,
then with the nickel in his possession [6],
he is the new shooter,
and must call a Target [7] .

…misses the cup,
the nickel is passed to the next Player on the right,
he is the new shooter,
and must call a Target [7] before shooting.

Play continues on like this, rivalries will emerge quickly and the battle to keep your enemies drinking seems simple, but hardly ever seems fair.

There are a few additional Articles that come into play at special times during the game:

Article #1

“Raising the Stakes”

While you may not see this much at a beginners table, when people start getting competitive they can take a risk by declaring “Raisin’ the Stakes” and filling the glass with more drink, up to the brim if they wish. If the nickel…

…goes in the cup,
the Target drinks the entire cup,
refills the cup with as much drink as he wants,
then with the nickel in his possession,
he is the new shooter

…misses the cup,
the shooter has to drink the entire cup,
the nickel is passed to the next Player on the right,
he is the new shooter

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[1] A good surface will let the nickel bounce easily and controllably into the air, about 6-8 inches when thrown down with decent force. A nicely lacquered table usually works best, if you don't have something like that, or the nickel isn't bouncing well, some countertops have been known to produce a good surface.

[2] A whiskey glass is a perfect glass for Nickels, but this is definitely left open for variation because of 2 reasons.

1) a whiskey glass can be hard to find sometimes
2) sometimes a more challenging glass is needed.
A suitable alternative would be some glass of a height of not more than 7 ” and at least a 3” diameter. But don't let that stop your imaginations.

[3] Can be played with less than 5 players, but can be very dangerous

[4] ‘Shooting' or ‘Throwing' is the act of bouncing the nickel off the horizontal surface and into the glass. There are many different ways to do this, some easy, some not, but the main idea is the nickel must be held in one hand and bounced on the surface into the cup. It counts if it bounces twice and goes in. It even counts if it bounces from surface into cup and then out of cup, this is a very rare thing to see.

[5] No matter how hard it is to do, idiots still swallow the nickel (although it is rare). Most people won't choke on a nickel, it just goes down and through, but you shouldn't try to do this, it will probably kill you.

[6] It is your turn to shoot and no one can take it from you, but if you left the nickel in the glass and refilled the cup, you are required to drink the cup down to get the nickel. If circumstance require, this may be waived.

[7] Forgetting to call your Target and sinking the nickel in the cup will earn you that drink. No, you do not get to go again, and yes you must drink the cup. Play is passed to the right as always.