- Knucklebones / Snobs is an ancient game. Bones, thought to be playthings, have been found in prehistoric caves in Russia. Nobody
knows how the game was played in prehistoric times, but in classical times 'Pentalitha' (Fivestones) as it was known,
was played with five little pebbles or knucklebones. They were thrown into the air and caught on the back of the hand.
The pieces on the floor were then carefully picked up with the fingers while balancing the rest on the back of the hand.
There is no record of the other variations in play, but it is highly probable that the pieces were thrown and picked up in
much the same way as children play now.

Later, a pottery ball, slightly smaller than a golf ball, was added, which made the game a little easier to play, as the
bounce of the ball allowed more time to snatch the pieces up from the floor. The use of a ball or marble was recorded as
early as the mid-16th century. By the 19th century, the game was highly developed, with many steps, some of which are still
played today. For instance, 'passes-passes' (France, 1800s) was played in the same way as 'Through the Arch' in Australia
and Kopru (Gate or Bridge) in Turkey, where the pieces are pushed through an arch made by the thumb and index finger of
the left hand.

The game is known throughout the world, and probably has as many names as there are countries. Dibs, Chuckstones,
Chucks, Dabs, Bestas, Diketo, Terrespil, Pacheta, La Payanita, O-Tedama - the list is endless. In English-language
countries, the game is usually called by the universal name of Jacks, which has also been adopted as the name for the small
spiked metal playing pieces produced in America.