This game pictured on the left was purchased by the Museum in 1972. It was made by World Wide Games, Delaware, Ohio (US). It is an interesting variation on the traditional Three-in-a-Row games.
Composed of four pieces of cherry wood, the entire "board" is 19.5cm high. Each of the three Three-in-a-Row boards are 9cm long x 7.7cm wide. One of these three boards forms the base of the structure, and one forms the top. They are attached at the rear by a piece of wood that is 2.2cm wide. The third board is attached equidistant between the top and bottom boards. There are nine holes (1.1cm) scooped out on each of three playing surfaces to accomodate two sets of marbles as game counters or markers.
The game is much like a standard game of Tick-Tac-Toe (or O & X) illustrated in this Web Section. It is a game for two players, who attempt to place three counters in either a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row. However, here is the difference in this game. A row may be formed on any of the three surfaces or a combination of the three surfaces.
The first player places a counter into any of the 27 holes, the opponent then places a counter in any of the remaining 26 holes. The first player then places a counter into any of the remaining 25 holes. The opponent then either attempts to block the first player or may place a counter anywhere else. It is to be remembered that a row doesn't have to be on one surface only, so that three in a row can go across a surface or down through all three surfaces!
The vertical rows that go down through all three surfaces seem easy to prevent, however, the Three-D vertical rows require more player concentration.
Last update March 31, 2010