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O’Yatka
Head-to-Head
The Original
Objective
The goal is to slide all six blocks away from you by successfully landing the ring on the hook before your opponent does.
Setup
• Each player begins with three blocks close to them and three blocks closer to their opponent.
Gameplay
1. Both players start simultaneously. Each time a player lands their ring on the hook, they slide one of their blocks away from themselves.
2. Play continues in a “tug-of-war” style, with each player aiming to be the first to push all six blocks to the opponent’s side.
3. Interference Rule: If a player’s hand or Ring obstructs their opponent’s ring path during play, that player loses a point as a penalty.
Winning
To win, a player must land the ring on the hook, then successfully push the final block completely away from them before the opponent lands another successful hook. If the opponent hooks the ring before the final block is pushed, they remain in the game and play continues.
O'Yatka 21 Point Duel
First to 21
Objective
The goal is to be the first player to score exactly 21 points by successfully hooking the ring over multiple turns.
Setup
• Each player has two “home” peg holders, followed by a row of 21 peg holes for score tracking. (Cribbage pegs located in top of game under lid)
• Each player uses two scoring pegs: one to mark their current score and the other to show progress within each turn.
• Start with both pegs in the “home” position.
Gameplay
Players alternate turns, each with three attempts to land their ring on the hook. Points are scored as follows:
• 0 points: The ring misses the hook entirely.
• 1 point: The ring taps the hook without landing.
• 2 points: The ring taps the hook 2 or more times without landing.
• 3 points: The ring lands successfully on the hook.
Each player tracks points for the three attempts using the slider blocks. For example, if a player taps the hook once (1 point), misses once (0 points), and lands the ring once (2 points), they would accumulate a total of 3 points for that turn.
After each turn, the player moves their scoring peg forward on the 21-point row to reflect their new total, and play passes to the next player.
Scoring Rule
To win, a player must reach exactly 21 points. If a player exceeds 21 points (for example, reaching 22 or more), they lose the rest of their turn immediately, and their score remains at its previous total. The turn then passes to the next player.
The Hammer
The second player on each round has “the hammer,” meaning they will always have a chance to match or reach 21 points if the first player achieves it.
Winning the Game
A player wins by reaching exactly 21 points.
• If both players reach 21 points on the same round, they enter a Sudden Death Round:
• In Sudden Death, each player has a single swing to land the ring. The player with the highest score in the Sudden Death Round wins. If they both miss or score the same, Sudden Death continues until one player wins outright.
O’Yatka
Quick Play
First to 3
Objective
Be the first player to push all three of your blocks away from you.
Setup
• Each player starts with three blocks positioned closest to them.
Gameplay
1. Both players start simultaneously. This is a free-for-all! Both players race to hook the ring as quickly as possible.
2. Every time you successfully hook the ring, push one of your blocks away.
3. Interference Rule: If a player’s hand obstructs their opponent’s ring path during a slide, that player loses a point as a penalty.
Winning
The first player to push all three blocks away from themselves wins!
O'Yatka Play
Game Setup
1. Find a Level Surface
Place O’Yatka on a stable, level playing surface for optimal gameplay.
2. Extend and Secure the Arms
Extend the arms outward and tighten them to ensure they’re securely in place.
3. Adjust the Ring and String
• Adjust the string so the ring can smoothly hook onto the hook.
• For ideal alignment, position the point of the hook about two-thirds of the way up from the bottom of the ring. This positioning increases the hookable area, making for smoother gameplay.
4. Practice Throws
We recommend taking 6 to 9 practice throws to get familiar with the weight and length of the string, ensuring it’s set up just right.
Setup Note for Children or Beginners
To make O’Yatka more accessible for younger players or beginners, adjust the difficulty by lowering the angle of the arms. This setup provides an easier hook angle, making the game more approachable and fun for new players.
Now, you’re ready to enjoy the game! Have fun mastering the perfect hook!

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