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Found 2 boxes with content shown below and wondered if it is a game and what is named? The boxes contained no rules but had a certain "homemade" feel about it why the option of it being a game is not ruled out by missing rules.

Content in each box:

  • 2 boards with 3 x 5 holes each
  • 32/31 pegs (one box contains 32, the other 31), one end is rounded and one is flat

Found boxes

Edit: Picture of pegs in holes Pegs in holes

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    My initial thought is peg solitaire but it looks like an abnormal layout for that type of game.
    – Malco
    Oct 26, 2017 at 13:32
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    Interestingly, there are more total pegs (32) than slots (30). There also isn't an easy way to clearly identify players, assuming that this is a multiplayer game. Do the holes punch all the way through the boards? And why do you say there are "32/31" pegs - what's up with the 32nd? For now, I'd say chances are that it's some kind of craftmanship helper tool rather than a game, but it certainly looks game-ish. Oct 26, 2017 at 13:51
  • Could we get some photos with the pegs in the holes? Would be interesting to see how far they poke out.
    – Malco
    Oct 26, 2017 at 14:00
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    @Malco Agree. The layout doesn't seem quite right but is interesting. Regarding photos: I am not currently at the same place as the boxes, but will post additional photos in about 12 hours. :) Oct 26, 2017 at 19:16
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    Dara would fit. boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/34319/dara But no idea why board would be in two parts. Box seems big enough to hold board in one piece.
    – MaxW
    Oct 26, 2017 at 22:53

1 Answer 1

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Dara would fit. You'd only need 12 pegs each. Extra could be just in case you lost some. From Board Game Geek-Dara:

A game from Nigeria that may be played by two players or teams. Traditionally the game was played on an area consisting of 5x6 spaces using sticks or stones for pieces.

The game begins with the players taking alternating turns placing one of their twelves pieces in an empty space. Once all of the pieces have been placed, the players alternate moving one of their pieces into an adjacent empty space. Diagonal movement is not allowed.

When a player moves a piece to cause three of their pieces to be in a row, that player may remove one opposing piece that is not part of a row of three such pieces. Players are not permitted to make a move which results in more than three of their pieces being in a row. A player wins the game when the opposing player is unable to make a a row of three pieces.

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  • I don't know if this is a good fit, there isn't any distinction between pieces. How can you tell which piece belongs to which player?
    – Malco
    Oct 27, 2017 at 14:02
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    @Malco - All the pegs are flat on one end and round on the other. So one player has flat ends and the other round ends.
    – MaxW
    Oct 27, 2017 at 14:04
  • @ MaxW I think that the rounding is to make the pegs go into the holes easier, not to differentiate players. I think either @Erik's idea that it is a children's toy, or perhaps it is a single player game is more plausible.
    – Malco
    Oct 27, 2017 at 14:12
  • It makes sense to me - the board is not one solid piece because that could be unwieldy to remove from the box. Nothing is colored, so a simple rounding of the edges can differentiate between players. The bevel around the holes is sufficient to aide in placing the pegs. Oct 27, 2017 at 14:49
  • I agree with @Malco, one rounded end doesn't seem sufficient to distinguish sides. One could use those pieces to play this game, but it doesn't seem like that was it's design.
    – Octopus
    Oct 31, 2017 at 21:05

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