full size skittles. The foremost pin doubles the number of points. If three are hit in a row, they count as nine. If all the skittles fall, it is a 'sow' (Sau) and scores 36 points. If only the innermost one remains, it is a 'little wreath' (Kranzl) and scores 24 points. Variants Schanzeln: Three spins per player, points are added. Abräumen ("sweeping off"): Three spins, with no repositioning between spins. If there is a tie for most, there is a playoff. The next round begins with fresh stakes and all players (not just those who came first) can play again. This goes on until there is a winner. Tournaments Tournaments are held regularly and runs as follows: there is a Stand in which 5 spins may be played (with or without money). The points are added up. Three trial spins are allowed before each new game. If the player likes the trial spin, he can count this as the first game and waive the rest. The three best Stands are added up. The winner is one with the most points over three best Stands. A special feature is the writing down (owischreibe). If you are playing a Stand and have made a particularly good spin, you can abandon the current Stand and start the new Stand with this spin. Cleaning the alley Since some players spin using ashes or chalk to achieve a better grip, for example with wet fingers, the track repeatedly gets dirty. It track is usually cleaned with schnaps (Obstler). You can also use window cleaner, with the disadvantage that the alley sometimes becomes too slick or slippery. The track is then usually cleaned with kitchen roll. Garmisch table skittles A regional variation in the area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen (known locally as Werdenfelser Land) is what is known here as Stoßbuddeln (or Stossbuddeln). Using a cue stick the player hits a ball in order to hit as many of the nine pins on a miniature bowling alley as possible. The first table of this kind was probably the one made around 1940 in a coffee house in Switzerland. This even has a manual resetting facility. References External links Table Skittles - History and Useful Information Games of physical skill