Lesson Eight: Games of Chance

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8

Teacher Information:

Across the Plains Aboriginal groups such as the Blackfoot and Plains Cree played numerous games of chance and gambling as leisure activities and for socialization. Both the Blackfoot and Cree played many games that were similar in nature however variability depended on the materials at hand and the natural environment in which they lived.

The stick flipping game is well known to the Cree Peoples of the Plains. Both children and adults played this game and a minimum of two players in required.

Traditional materials needed to play this game (you will need to find similar materials in order to conduct this activity in the classroom):

• Large pole approximately eighteen inches long; whittle the sides of the pole so it has four flat sides and two pointed ends. Color each side differently. NOTE: You may want to break your students into small groups for this lesson, hence several more large poles will be needed.
• Several tally sticks (enough for each group).

Main Lesson:

The purpose of this lesson is for students to discuss the chances (probability) of each color facing upward when the stick is flipped. Students will record the results of several games and make conclusions from their results.

To play the game:

• Begin by hitting the end of the stick by stepping on it and making it flip into the air. If it does not flip, the player can try again.
• The score depends on the side of the stick that lands facing up. When a point is awarded the player collects the tally stick from their opponent. The first person to get all four points wins the game.

• It is possible to play the Stick Flipping game with variations. They are as follows:

1. Free Throw: A player who loses all his sticks may sometimes be allowed a "free throw." If he scores, he is back in the game; other wise, he stays out. Each player is allowed only one free throw per game.
2. End of Game: When only two players remain, they can make special arrangements to speed up the game. For example, before throwing, one player might bet all his tally sticks that he will score a certain number. If he is successful, his opponent must give him that number of tally sticks. If he fails, he loses the game.

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/games/chance/stickflipping.html