Rayuela (Tejo) - The Most Competitive Game in Chile

Hi, it's me Peter with a second story about Chilean game called Rayuela or Tejo, which might be the most competitive game among people from rural areas in Chile. I hope that my posts will bring you some new information about Chile and it's culture.

First of all, you need a square shaped area limited with wooden boards (100cm x 100cm x 15cm). A wet soil inside the square and a string (white is the best option) stretched between two vertical boards.

The next item on your list is the "tejo", a metal disc that can vary in its weight. Each player needs two same "tejos", with the same weight and design.

Now you are ready to play :)

GENERAL RULES:

1. Game modes: 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2
2. Distances: 10, 12, 14, 16, ... 22 m (it depends from players, I usually play from 10-16 meters only)
3. The team that gains 16 points first, wins.

Stand in the agreed distance and throw your disc to the restricted area.

The idea of this game is to throw your disc inside the square area without hitting the wooden board. The disc that lands closest to the string wins a point, if you have two discs closer than your opponent then you gain 2 points and so on.

If the disc overreaches the string the player obtains 2 points, unless your opponent makes the same throw and his disc lands on the string, or under it. Then again, the closest disc obtains one point. You have to sum points each round and the team that reached 16 points first, wins.

These are some basic rules. Rules can change, it depends from people with who you are playing with, but in general it's the same thing.
I have never heard of "rayuela" before, so I was pretty thrilled to play and I have to say that it's pretty addictive. Chilean men usually play "rayuela" in the afternoon, drinking wine and chatting. However, it's amazing that such a simple game can produce a furious fight even among best friends, that will dispute over one point.

Ok, this was my second story about Chilean culture and my experience. I hope you've enjoyed it and learned something new :)
Have a nice day.

Peter...