Rolley Hole Marbles (game) rules and interpretation document

[Marble_Go_Team]

On 6/28/2025 at 12:04 AM, RolleyHoleMan said:

The loops are a pretty cool idea. I’m going to try that method when teaching folks to play on carpet. The 4” is decent for giving folks an idea, but I’d go with a lot smaller since the original holes are the size of a marble. That’s just my personal preference though. 

Yeah, great point. I'm trying to find a balance with the loop size. I want to keep the spirit of the holes as a target; that's why I didn't use knots where a player just spans in to a knot on the scoreline. But at the same time, a 10' scoreline in the kit brings the game from a 30' length between top and bottom hole to around 8'. An added dynamic is that marble has to have enough momentum to roll over the cord and stop, but not too far and overshoot. Since it's a compact adaptation at 8', I augmented some rules as a compromise such as disallowing 'spanning in' – a player can span close, but has to make the shot in. Another modification is disallowing spanning toward the next hole a player is for – instead span perpendicular or away from the next hole. Players on the compact course also won't have a huge yard (think a carpeted room for example), so I'm hoping common etiquette will come in to the mix (like over-blasting an opponent and risking breaking their marbles)...Marble Go kits advise using glass marbles because they're ubiquitous. Not sure that flint is all that accessible.

Anyhow, perhaps a suggested 2"-4" loop would suffice and allow house rules to prevail. I might make it up to the 42nd tourney in September if I can get a camping spot; might be sold out by now. It's only a couple hours away.

[RolleyHoleMan]

1 minute ago, Marble_Go_Team said:

Yeah, great point. I'm trying to find a balance with the loop size. I want to keep the spirit of the holes as a target; that's why I didn't use knots where a player just spans in to a knot on the scoreline. But at the same time, a 10' scoreline in the kit brings the game from a 30' length between top and bottom hole to around 8'. An added dynamic is that marble has to have enough momentum to roll over the cord and stop, but not too far and overshoot. Since it's a compact adaptation at 8', I augmented some rules as a compromise such as disallowing 'spanning in' – a player can span close, but has to make the shot in. Another modification is disallowing spanning toward the next hole a player is for – instead span perpendicular or away from the next hole. Players on the compact course also won't have a huge yard (think a carpeted room for example), so I'm hoping common etiquette will come in to the mix (like over-blasting an opponent and risking breaking their marbles)...Marble Go kits advise using glass marbles because they're ubiquitous. Not sure that flint is all that accessible.

Anyhow, perhaps a suggested 2"-4" loop would suffice and allow house rules to prevail. I might make it up to the 42nd tourney in September if I can get a camping spot; might be sold out by now. It's only a couple hours away.

I should have read it a little better, I didn’t realize it was compacted. When I teach it indoors I have a massive room that lets me do the full size yard. What we use indoors for the holes are quarters, which is pain but what the marble players use. 
 

As for the camping spots, Standing Stones campgrounds will be closed for renovations unfortunately. There’s a camper campground outside the park that isn’t all that bad, ans about an hour away is Rock Island State park which has wonderful campgrounds (I used to work there and maintain them, so I can say with certainty they’re some of the best).

I plan on being at the next Rolley Hole to spread marbles a bit.