“Community Bonds Through Play:Why Not Try Yutnori,Korea’s Classic Board Game”

Yunnori, also known as Yutnori, is a traditional Korean game played from the first day of the lunar month to the Full Moon Day. In this game, participants throw four wooden sticks (Yut sticks) and move their game pieces (horses) based on the outcome to compete for victory. The game is enjoyed by splitting into teams and using wooden sticks as playing pieces.

This Korean folk game involves throwing four sticks, each with a semi-circular side, to move the game pieces.

The game consists of:

• Two or more participants,
• Yut sticks,
• A Yut board,
• One or more game pieces (markers that move around the board).

The method of play involves placing four pieces on each side of the board and alternately throwing the Yut sticks. The team that first gets all four pieces across the finish line wins.

Game Equipment

Yut Sticks Yut sticks are the items that each participant throws. Four sticks with a semi-circular cross-section or half beans are used. In modern times, the Yut game typically involves wooden sticks, and beans are rarely used. The round side is called the “back,” and the flat side is called the “belly.” A result showing the “back” is referred to as “flipped,” and the “belly” showing is “cracked.”

There are two types of Yut: “stick Yut,” also known as “log Yut,” and “chestnut Yut,” which is smaller like chestnuts. Nowadays, people often buy commercial Yut sets to enjoy the game. Log Yut sticks are about 15-20cm in length and 3-5cm in diameter, thrown high into the air, while chestnut Yut involves shaking small Yut pieces in a small container before throwing them.

Yut Board The Yut board is used to place the game pieces based on the outcome of the thrown Yut sticks. It displays the points where the pieces can stay and the paths they can take. Ancient petroglyphs and documents always depict the Yut board as round, reflecting the ancient belief that “the sky is round” (天圓地方). The square shape of the board is a later adaptation.

The center of the board is often referred to as the North Star, with the remaining 28 positions representing the main constellations of the East or the Big Dipper rotating around the North Star. Some petroglyphs show the Yut board drawn in the position of the Big Dipper opposite Cassiopeia. The board is also related to the formation laid by Xiang Yu against Liu Bang in the Battle of Gaixia, known as “Dongseongjin.” When described as a square board, it consists of a square with five notches on each side and two diagonal lines crossing inside, with the starting point being one corner of the square.

Game Pieces Game pieces indicate the participants’ positions on the board, typically four per player or team. Traditionally, these were made from carved wood or small stones, but modern pieces can be coins or Go pieces. The pieces move along the board according to the Yut throw results. Using a piece is referred to as “using a Mal-ko,” with the goal being to complete a circuit back to the starting point, known as “eating the starting point.” However, it’s important that the piece passes the starting point to be considered as having completed a circuit; stopping on it doesn’t count. Opponents’ pieces can be captured if they stop on the starting point.

Game Rules

When there are multiple participants, teams can be formed. Participants take turns throwing the Yut sticks and placing their pieces on the board according to the rules of Yut throws and piece movements. When multiple moves are possible, the participant chooses the best option. The first to return all pieces to the starting point wins.

Yut Throws The Yut throw outcomes are determined by the number of flat sides facing up. The table below shows the possible outcomes, with ‘x’ indicating the back and the unmarked side indicating the belly.

• Do: One flat side up, move one space forward.
• Gae: Two flat sides up, move two spaces forward.
• Geol: Three flat sides up, move three spaces forward.
• Yut: All flat sides up, move four spaces forward and get an extra turn.
• Mo: All rounded sides up, move five spaces forward and get an extra turn.
• Back Do or Nak: One flat side up with a marked “back,” move one space backward. This is indicated by a dot on the flat side in the left image.

If any Yut sticks land outside the playing area, the turn is passed without action.

Piece Paths The board offers four main paths for the pieces, with variations like the shortest path using “Back Do” to leap forward. The choice of path and Yut throws can either expedite or slow down a piece’s progress. The paths are metaphorically associated with seasons, with the fastest being “Winter Solstice,” the second and third as “Equinoxes,” and the slowest as “Summer Solstice.”

Extra Throws Participants take turns throwing the Yut sticks, but in the following cases, a participant gets an extra throw:

• When “Yut” is thrown,
• When “Mo” is thrown,
• When capturing another participant’s piece,
• Continuous extra throws are possible if capturing another’s piece using “Yut” or “Mo.”

Catching and Carrying When moving pieces based on Yut throws, the following actions can be taken if another piece is on the intended spot:

• If it’s one’s own or an ally’s piece, multiple pieces can be carried together, moving as one until they are captured.
• If it’s an opponent’s piece, it can be captured, and the captured piece(s) return to the owner. If multiple pieces were being carried, all are returned.
• Capturing a piece grants another Yut throw.

Moving Backwards with “Back Do” When a specially marked Yut stick shows “Do” with the marked front side up, the piece moves one space backward.

If there are no pieces on the board, some rules treat it as a miss, passing the turn, while others allow moving directly to the fastest path if “Back Do” is thrown without any pieces on the board.

Returning to the starting point can vary by rules, especially after moving backwards with “Back Do.”

Special Rules

Some games add “trap” spaces where pieces can be “killed.” Before starting, rules regarding whether to take the shortest path at corners or choose freely are set.

Yunnori requires strategic decisions, especially when multiple options are available for placing a piece on the board after a throw. This complexity arises due to several factors:

1. Multiple Pieces: Players often have multiple pieces in play, which increases the possible moves following a throw.
2. Extra Turns: The rules allowing for additional throws (“one more time”) when a “Yut” or “Mo” is thrown add layers of strategy.
3. Multiple Paths: The choice among several paths for the pieces to travel on the board offers strategic depth.

Deciding Whether to Stack Pieces

For instance, if a player has three pieces in play and one piece is at the “Geol” position (three spaces from the start), and the throw results in “Geol,” the player could either move the piece already at the “Geol” position three spaces forward or bring a new piece to stack with the piece at the “Geol” position. Stacking pieces (“riding”) allows for faster movement since the stacked pieces move together. However, if the stack is captured, all pieces in the stack are lost, necessitating a strategic decision.

Strategic Placement with Extra Turns from “Yut” and “Mo”

When a player throws “Yut” or “Mo,” they earn an extra turn. Depending on the game rules:

1. The player may move a piece on the board before the extra throw, or
2. The player may wait until after the extra throw to decide on the piece’s movement.

If the extra throw results in another “Yut” or “Mo,” or if it captures another piece with “Do,” “Gae,” or “Geol,” the player can continue to move pieces based on the outcomes or take another extra throw. The sequence of moves and extra throws provides a strategic opportunity to advance pieces or plan captures.

These elements make Yunnori a game of both chance and strategy, where players must continually adapt their tactics based on the evolving board state and the actions of their opponents.

Yutnori is more than a mere game; it serves as a vital conduit for understanding Korean tradition and culture, facilitating communication across generations. This game transcends reliance on luck, demanding strategic thinking, teamwork, and quick decision-making to determine the outcome.

Each throw of the Yut sticks weaves a new narrative, with the game’s inherent unpredictability providing continuous excitement and tension for the players. Engaging in Yutnori not only offers delightful moments with family and friends but also presents a precious opportunity to experience Korean heritage and pass it down to future generations.

Beyond festive occasions, Yutnori teaches us the importance of collaboration and strategic thought in everyday life. Moreover, it allows us to appreciate cultural diversity and the value of traditions anew. Yutnori is not just an age-old pastime but a living tradition that brings us together to communicate, learn, and enjoy.

Through this blog, I hope you’ve gained some insight into the charm of Yutnori and encourage you to create joyful memories with it. Embrace the beauty of Korea’s rich cultural legacy and make the time spent with your loved ones even more meaningful.