Tiddly Winks

Tiddlywinks originated in England during the late 1800s. The name comes from “tiddly wink” which is English slang for an unlicensed pub. Tiddlywinks became popular in pubs as a diversion while downing a few pints, much like darts or chess.

The game consists of a mat with a small, round pot at its centre and several little discs made in four colours (blue, green, red, and yellow). Blue and red are always partners against yellow and green and are laid across from each other diagonally around the pot in alphabetical order.

Within each colour, there are six disks: four smaller ones called ‘winks’ and two larger ones known as ‘squidgers’. These disks are arranged by the lines of four boxes drawn at the corners of the mat.