RING THE BEAR …the rules. A simple game made wordy
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ringing-the-bull-aka-ringing-the-bull
The Basic Game
The target is a hook attached in some way to a wall at about eye-height.
Several feet from the hook, a ring dangles from the end of a piece of thin rope or string, the
other end of which is attached to the ceiling.
A participant should stand on the opposite side of the outside bar to the hook and, starting
with the ring about chest-height, swing the ring with the aim of getting it to land on the hook.
Variation 1 - Solo Pastime
Ringing the bear is usually played simply as an entertaining pastime. A person will make a
number of attempts to ring the bull and then pass the ring to somebody else for a turn.
As a person's skill improves, they may wish to start trying different techniques. The basic
throw is simple a swing in a clockwise direction (for a right handed player) straight onto the
ring but advanced players can also ring the bull across themselves in an anti-clockwise
direction.
Old hands are able to throw with either hand in either direction and will then really impress
their spectators by facing away from the hook and swinging in the opposite direction such
that upon its return the bull is ringed.
For extra difficulty, they might do this while standing next to the target instead of at the usual
throwing mark. The ultimate throw is one which circles the room completely twice and then
lands squarely on the target. Difficult yes, but not impossible!
Variation 2 - A Casual Game
Where the informal pastime becomes an informal competition, a player will just swing the
ring a certain number of times and then make way for the next person. For these informal
games, 21 attempts per person is typical and the player who rings the bear the most times
wins.
Variation 3 - A Competitive Example
Before the game starts, each player is allowed three practice swings. During the game, if
a player inadvertently drops the ring, instead of properly swinging it, a "dropped ring" is
called and does not count as an attempt.
The players take turns to swing the ring ten times in succession. A scorer keeps count of
the number of successful bull rings and the first player to achieve the feat 16 times, wins
(except for the final which is the first to 21). We suggest that the game should not finish
until both players have had an equal number of turns and that, in the event of a draw, the
players should continue to take a turn each of 10 throws in succession until one player is
victorious.
The proprietors of the Old Ale and Coffee House do not take sides in the case of a dispute … other random
hangers on can be drawn in, but this is an amateur game. Big money transfers between teams are not
encouraged, but beer transfers are allowed!