Los chinos: guess how many stones are in play

Cool-down for the traditional games unit using «los chinos», a popular Spanish tavern game in which each player hides zero to three stones in a fist and everyone tries to guess the total. It is calm, played sitting down and opens a discussion about probability and the oral tradition of games.

How to play

1. Explain the game's origins and rules: each player hides between 0 and 3 stones or counters in one fist (1 min).
2. In groups of four sitting in a circle, everyone holds out a closed fist and, in turn, each player calls a total without repeating anyone else's number (3 min).
3. Fists open; whoever guesses right is out of the round and keeps score until the group finishes (2 min).
4. Discussion: which numbers come up most? Is it better to call first or last? (2 min).

Rules

• A number already called by another player in the same round cannot be repeated.
• Whoever guesses right becomes the scorekeeper, so nobody is left without a role.
• Handle the counters discreetly: looking at other players' fists is not allowed.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited hand mobility: hide the counters under a cup instead of in a fist.
• Visual impairment: use counters of different sizes and open fists onto the player's hand.
• Dyscalculia: write the possible totals on a card to choose from.

Learning goals

• Calm down after the session with a seated traditional game.
• Learn a popular game from Spanish tradition and its context.
• Apply logical reasoning and probability to decision-making.

Equipment for a class of 25

• counters: 90

Teacher tip

Ask students to find out at home whether anyone in the family used to play and by what rules. You can link the discussion with the math department.

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