Games played on Gor

A wineskin is filled with wine and greased.
Men try to stand, balanced, on it for an ehn.
The winner, who accomplishes this, gets the wine
I saw some fellows gathered about a filled, greased wineskin. There was much laughter. I went over to watch. He who manages to balance on it for a given time, usually an Ehn, wins both the skin and its contents. One pays a tarsk bit for the chance to compete. It is extremely difficult, incidentally, to balance on such an object, not only because of the slickness of the skin, heavily coated with grease, but even more so because if its rotundity and unpredictable movements, the wine surging within in. “Aii!” cried a fellow flailing about and then spilling from its surface. There was much laughter. “Who is next?” called the owner of the skin.

Sometimes the winner may get a choice of prizes.
Sometimes there is a choice of donated prizes for the victors. For example, a bolt of red cloth, a tethered verr or a slave. More than one urban girl, formerly a perfumed slave, sold into the countryside, who held herself above peasants, despising them for their supposed filth and stink, had found herself, kneeling and muchly roped, among such a set of prizes.
Magicians

Played with two teams of two men each (four men total).
Bats are heavy wood, and broad
The ball is made of wood, 2 inches in diameter
Is played much like "keep away"
Appears to be a somewhat violent game.
Perhaps the most serious incident of the contests had occurred in one of the games of bat and ball; in this contest there are two men on each side, and the object is to keep the ball out of the hands of the other team; no one man may hold the ball for more than the referee’s count of twenty; he may, however, throw it into the air, provided it is thrown over his head, and catch it again himself; the ball may be thrown to a partner, or struck to him with the bat; the bat, of course, drives the ball with incredible force; the bats are of heavy wood, rather broad, and the ball, about two inches in diameter, is also of wood, and extremely hard; this is something like a game of "keep away" with two men in the middle. I was pleased that I was not involved in the play. Shortly after the first "knock off", in which the ball is served to the enemy, Gorm, who was Ivar’s partner, was struck cold with the ball, it driven from the opponent’s bat; this, I gathered, is a common trick; it is very difficult to intercept or protect oneself from a ball struck at one with great speed from a short distance; it looked quite bad for Ivar at this point, until one of his opponents, fortunately, broke his leg, it coming into violent contact with Ivar’s bat. This contest was called a draw. Ivar then asked me to be his partner. I declined. "It is all right," said Ivar, "even the bravest of men may decline a contest of bat-and-ball." I acceded to his judgment.

A variation similar to ice-hockey
There are various forms of ball game enjoyed by the men of Torvaldsland; some use bats, or paddles; in the winter, one such game, quite popular, is played, men running and slipping about, on ice; whether there is any remote connection between this game and ice hockey, I do not know; it is, however, ancient in Torvaldsland; Torvald himself, in the sagas, is said to have been skilled at it.
Marauders

Tuchuck children play with a cork ball
One throws the ball, the other attempts to strike it
Here and there children ran be- tween the wheels, playing with a cork ball and quiva, the object of the game being to strike the thrown ball.
Nomads

Even some of the northern girls joined with us. We had a cloth ball, stuffed with rags, and, laughing, we threw this about. Some of the girls sat in circles, telling stories.
Captive

Several slaves are lined up on hands and knees
Each must push a bean with her nose across a finish line yards away.
Men commonly place bets on the race.
I stopped for a moment to watch an amusing race. Several slave girls are aligned, on all fours, poised, their heads down. Then, carefully, a line of beans, one to a girl, is placed before them. She must then, on all fours, push the bean before her, touching it only with her nose. The finish line was a few yards away. “go!” I head. The crowd cheered on its favorites. On this sport, as well as on several others, small bets were placed. Sometimes a new slave, one who has recently been a haughty, arrogant free woman, is used in such a race. Such things, aside from their amusing, and fitting, aspects, are thought to be useful in accommodating her to her new reality, that of the female slave. In them she learns something more of the range of activities that may be required of her.
Magicians

Guessing game played with a pebble hidden under cups
“The price is steep,” said Boots. “Could we not reconsider the matter?”
“Two silver tarsks,” said the man.
“Would you care to make it double or nothing, on the basis of some wager of your choosing, such as in cups and pebbles?” he asked.
“Two,” said the man.
“I have the cups and a pebble, by some stroke of luck, in my wallet,” said Boots.
“Two,” said the fellow. This game, like many such games, of various types, involves guessing. Small, inverted metal cups are used. A coin, pebble, or small object is supposedly placed beneath one of the cups. They are then moved about, rapidly. The odds are with the “house,” so to speak, particularly if the coin or pebble is not placed under one of the cups. I was already familiar with Boots’s skill in slight-of-hand manipulations from Port Kar.
Players

Several variations of dice games on Gor
I passed a few fellows playing dice. There are many forms of dice games on Gor, usually played with anywhere from a single die to five dice.

Gorean dice usually have numbers, letters, or pictures applied to them with paint.
The major difference, I think, between the dice of Earth and those of Gor is that the Gorean dice usually have their numbers, or letters, or whatever pictures or devices are used, painted on their surfaces. It is difficult to manufacture a pair of dice, of course, in which the “numbers,” twp, three and so on, are represented by scooped out indentations. For example, the “one” side of a die is likely to have less scooped-out material missing than the “six” side of a die. Thus the “one” side is slightly heavier and, in normal play, should tend to land face down more often than, say the ‘six” side, this bringing up the opposite side, the “six” side in Earth dice, somewhat more frequently. To be sure, the differences in weight are slight and, given the forces on the dice, the differential is not dramatic. And, of course, this differential can be compensated for in a sophisticated die by trying to deduct equal amounts of material from all surfaces, for example, an amount from the “one” side which will equal the amount of the “six” side, and, indeed, on the various sides. At any rate, in the Gorean dice, as mentioned, the numbers or letters, of pictures or whatever devices are used, are usually pained on the dice. Some gamesmen, even so, attempt to expend the same amount of paint on all surfaces. To be sure, some Gorean dice I have seen to use the “scooped-out” approach to marking the dice. And these, almost invariably, like the more sophisticated Earth dice, try to even out the material removed from each of the surfaces. Some Gorean dice are sold in sealed boxes, bearing the city’s imprint. These, supposedly, have been each cast six hundred times, with results approximating the ideal mathematical probabilities. Also, it might be mentioned that dice are sometimes tampered with, or specially prepared, to favor certain numbers. These, I suppose, using the Earth term, might be spoken of as “loaded.” My friend, the actor, magician, impresario and whatnot, Boots Tarsk-Bit, once narrowly escaped an impalement in Besnit on the charge of using false dice. He was, however, it seems, framed. At any rate the charges were dismissed when a pair of identical false dice turned up in the pouch of the arresting magistrate, the original pair having, interestingly, at about the same time, vanished.
...
I stayed to watch the fellows playing dice for a few Ehns. I do not think they noticed me, so intent they were on their game. The stakes were small, only tarsk bits, but one would not have gathered that from the earnestness of the players.
...

Larls are high.
Urts are low
Sleen and verr presumably equal two and three respectively
“Larls, larls!” called a fellow. “I win!
“Alas,” moaned the other. “I have only verr.”
“Larls” would be maximum highs, say, double highs, if two dice were being used, triple highs if three dice were in play, and so on. The chances of obtaining a “larl” with one throw of one die is one in six, of obtaining “larls” with two dice, one in thirty-six, of obtaining “larls” with three dice, one in two hundred and sixteen, and so on. Triple “larls” is a rare throw, obviously. The fellow had double “larls.” Other types of throws are “urts,” “sleen,” “verr,” and such. The lowest value on a singe die is the “urt.” The chances of obtaining, say, three “urts” is very slim, like that of obtaining three “larls” one in two hundred and sixteen. “Verr” is not a bad throw but it was not good enough to beat “larls.” If two dice are in play a “verr” and a “larl” would be equivalent on a numerical scale of ten points, or, similarly, if the dice are numbered, as these were, one would simply count points, though, of course, if, say, two sixes were thrown, that would count as “larls.”
Magicians

Female slave is hooded, hands bound at her back, and belled.
Common slave bells on collar, wrists, and ankles - a larger "guide" bell at hip.
The men playing are also hooded or blindfolded.
The men and the slave enter an enclosure, the men attempting to catch her, guided only by the sound of her bells.
The winner sates his lust upon the slave and the next round begins.
In one place, hearing the jingling of bells, I went over to a large open circle of fellows to watch a game of “girl catch.” There are many ways in which this game, or sort of game, is played. In this one, which was not untypical, a female slave, within an enclosure, her hands bound behind her back, and hooded, is belled, usually with common slave bells at the collar, wrists and ankles and a larger bell, a guide bell, with its particular note, at her left hip. Some fellows then, also hooded, or blindfolded, enter the enclosure, to catch her. Neither the quarry nor the hunters can see the other. The girl is forbidden to remain still for more than a certain interval, usually a few Ihn. She is under the control of a referee. His switch can encourage her to move, and, simultaneously, of course, mark her position. She is hooded in order that she may not determine into whose power she comes. When she is caught that game, or one of its rounds, is concluded. The victor’s prize, of course, is the use of the slave.
Magicians

More bells they tied about her wrists. They then took strings of bells and threw them, looped, about her neck. Five men stood in a line, some yards from her, who were to be the contestants. He who was to act as referee then tore away from Eta the brief rag she wore.... Then her hands were taken behind her and tied. Opaque cloths were brought and bets were placed. ....On this thong, at her left hip, was fastened a single bell, larger than the others, and of a different note. It would serve in particular to guide the men. Then, as she stood proudly, a cloth was thrown over her head and tied under her chin. She was hooded.
The girl is hooded in order that she not be able to influence the outcome of the sport. ...The five men were then similarly hooded, the opaque cloths thrown over their heads and tied under their chins. Eta, in her hood, stood absolutely still, not causing the rustle of a bell. The five men then, to the amusement of the observers, were led about the camp, and turned muchly about, that they be completely disoriented. The referee then, taking up a switch, went to the vicinity of Eta ...
Blindly, hooded, she fled—into the arms of the young blond giant. With a cry of pleasure he seized her and flung her to the grass, pinned beneath him. She was caught.
The referee called out a word, which I would later learn was "Capture," and slapped the man on the shoulder. The other men stepped back. Then, to my horror, I saw Eta, still hooded and bound, in her bells, ravished in the grass.
When the young man had finished with her he stood up and unknotted the hood from his head, casting it aside. Men lifted cups to him and shouted and pounded him upon the back. He was grinning. He had won. He returned to his place. Moneys were exchanged. Eta lay on her side in the grass.
In a few moments the referee had returned to her and, by the arms, thrown her again to her feet. She stood unsteadily, trembling, the motion of her body agitating the bells. He again called the word I was later to learn was "Quarry," and again he put her into motion with the switch. Again the men stalked her. Second place was at stake. She did not run as well this time, but, perhaps because this time there were only four pursuers, performed on the whole commendably. In some two or three minutes she was again taken and, to my horror, was, with pleasure and ruthlessness, again subjected to the indignity of the caught female, her second captor handling her with an audacity and simple physical proprietorship scarcely inferior to that of the first.
Slave Girl

Four times I ran as quarry in the cruel games of that evening.
Four times was I caught and, on my back in the dirt of that barbarian camp, rudely ravished by whom I knew not.
Slave Girl

Slave girls are knelt in a line, hands bound at their backs
Each slave, one at a time, is thrown a piece of meat.
If the girl catches it, her Master scores two points.
If the meat is missed, all girls scramble on their bellies for it, the winner scoring one point for her Master.
Men commonly bet upon the game.
I saw a line of five slave girls, kneeling, abreast, their hands tied behind their back. bits of meat were thrown to them, one after the other. A catch scored two points for the master. A missed piece might be sought by any of the girls, scrambling about, on their bellies. She who managed to obtain it received one point for her master. The girls were encouraged from the sidelines, not only by their masters but by the crowd as well, some of whom placed bets on the outcome.
Magicians

Presumably a military game involving the distance a spear is thrown
"You are Stam," she said, "first guardsman of the north gate and can cast your spear farther than any man of Tharna. You were first in the military games of En'Kara in the second year of my reign."
Outlaw

Men sparring with staffs
There was, from one side, a sudden sound of grunting and the cracking of great staffs, and urging cries from men. Two fellows, brawny lads, in half tunics, were doing staff contest. Both were good. Sometimes I could scarcely follow the movements of these weapons. “Watch him!” called a fellow to one of the contestants. “Cheers for Rarir!” called another. “Aii!” cried one of the lads, blood at the side of his head and ear, stumbling to the side. “Good blow!” cried an onlooker. But the lad came back with redoubled energy. I stayed for a moment. The lad from Rarir, as I understood it, then managed to pierce the guard of his opponent and thrust the staff into the fellow’s chest. He followed this with a smiting to the side of the fellow’s head which staggered him. he then, at the last moment, held back. the opponent, dazed, sat back in the dirt, laughing. “Victory for Rarir!” cried one man. “Pay us!” called another. Extending his hand to the foe the victor pulled him to his feet. They embraced. “Paga! Paga for both!” called a fellow.
Magicians

First man holds from 2-5 stones in his hand.
Second man guesses the number. A correct guess wins a point.
If guessed correctly, the second man guesses again on the next round.
If not guessed correctly, second man now holds the stones and first man guesses.
Game is usually played until one man scores fifty points (fifty correct guesses)
“Stones! Guess stones!” called a fellow. “Who will play stones?”
This is a guessing game, in which a certain number of a given number of “stones,” usually from two to five, is held in the hand and the opponent is to guess the number. There are many variations of “Stones,” but usually one receives one point for a correct guess. If one guesses successfully, one may guess again. If one does not guess successfully, one holds the “stones” and the opponent takes his turn. The game is usually set at a given number of points, usually fifty. Whereas the “stones” are often tiny pebbles, they may be any small object. Sometimes beads are used, sometimes even gems. Intricately carved and painted game boxes containing carefully wrought “stones” are available for the affluent enthusiast. The game, as it is played on Gor, is not an idle pastime. Psychological subtleties, and strategies, are involved. Estates have sometimes changed hands as a result of “stones.” Similarly, certain individuals are recognized as champions of the game. In certain cites, tournaments are held.
Magicians

Here and there some sat in twos or threes, talking. Two, like Forkbeard and myself, gave themselves to Kaissa. Two others, elsewhere, played Stones, a guessing game.
Marauders

"Tal," I said to two guardsmen who crouched at the side of a fire, playing Stones, a guessing game in which one person must guess whether the number of stones held in the fist of another is odd or even.
"Tal," said one guardsman. The other, attempting to guess the stones, did not even look up.
Outlaw

Stones can be pebbles or beads, or highly valuable gems.
Slaves played stones as well.
At "Stones" however, I was genuinely pleased with myself. It has two players, who take alternate turns. Each player has the same number of "Stones," usually two to five per player. The "Stones" are usually pebbles or beads, but in the cities one can buy small polished, carved boxes containing ten "stones," the quality of which may vary from polished ovoid stones, with swirling patterns, to gems worth the ransom of a merchant’s daughter. The object of the game is simple, to guess the number of stones held the other’s hand or hands. One point is scored for a correct guess, and the game is usually set for a predetermined number of paired guesses, usually fifty. Usually your opponent tries to outwit you, by either changing the number of stones held in his hand or, perhaps, keeping it the same.
Captive

I raced Inge to the end of the compound and back, and beat her. Some of the girls began to play tag, and games. Even some of the northern girls joined with us. We had a cloth ball, stuffed with rags, and, laughing, we threw this about. Some of the girls sat in circles, telling stories.
Captive

A board game for two players
Each has 9 pieces, of equal value, placed on intersections of lines.
Between them they had, in the crusts, scratched a board for Zar. This resembles the Kaissa board. Pieces, however, may he placed only on the intersections of lines either within or at the edges of the board. Each player has nine pieces of equal value which are originally placed on the intersections of the nine interior vertical lines with what would be the rear horizontal line, constituted by the back edge of the board, from each player's point of view. The corners are not used in the original placement, though they constitute legitimate move points after play begins. The pieces are commonly pebbles, or bits of verr dung, and sticks. The "pebbles" move first. Pieces move one intersection at a time, unless jumping. One may jump either the opponent's pieces or one's own. A jump must be made to an unoccupied point. Multiple jumps are permissible. The object is to effect a complete exchange of original placements. The first player to fully occupy the opponent's initial position wins. Capturing, of course, does not occur. The game is one of strategy and maneuverability.
Tribesmen

(These games are not in the same vein of good-natured fun as those listed above)

Games for the amusements of the crowds in the stadium
Matches between 2 fighters, or 2 teams of fighters.
Generally warriors do NOT participate - men of low caste, slaves, or criminals fight to amuse the crowds.
I do not choose to describe the nature of the games, except in certain general detail. There seems to me little of beauty in them and much of blood. Matches are arranged between single armed fighters, or teams of such. Generally Warriors do not participate in these matches, but men of low caste, slaves, condemned criminals and such. Some of them, however, are quite skillful with the weapons of their choice, surely the equal of many Warriors. The crowd is fond of seeing various types of weapons used against others, and' styles of fighting. Buckler and short sword are perhaps most popular, but there are few weapons on Gor which are not seen over a period of three or four days of the games. Another popular set of weapons, as in the ancient ludi of Rome. is net and trident. Usually those most skilled with this set of weapons are from the shore and islands of distant, gleaming Thassa, the sea, where they doubtless originally developed among fishermen.

Men sometimes fight "blindfolded" in iron hoods.
Sometimes wrestle to the death.
Or use spiked gauntlets
Sometimes men fight locked in iron hoods, unable to see their opponents. Sometimes men wrestle to the death or use the spiked gauntlets.

Slave girls sometimes fight
The surviving girl becomes property of the man whose slave she killed.
Sometimes slave girls are forced to fight slave girls, perhaps with steel claws fastened on their fingers, or several girls, variously armed, will be forced to fight a single man, or a small number of men. Surviving girls, of course, become the property of those whom they have fought; men who lose are, of course, slain.

Beasts are starved, goaded with hot irons and set to fight each other
Or, slave girls or criminals fight the beasts.
Or, slaves or criminals are simply fed to the starved beasts.
Beasts are also popular in the Stadium of Blades, and fights between various animals, half starved and goaded into fury by hot irons and whips, are common; sometimes the beasts fight beasts of the same species, and other times not; sometimes the beasts fight men, variously armed, or armed slave girls; sometimes, for the sport of the crowd, slaves or criminals are fed to the beasts.
Assassin