Sapo

Toad in the hole is a pub game, involving throwing brass coins at a lead topped table with a hole in the middle.

History

Jamphatu

One innoit emperor is said to have built a giant gold toad statue, where people go to ask for miracles.

The sapu (the toad) is a magical resident of Little Lake that would look after the people who offered it gold coins. If the toad ate the coin that was thrown into the waters of the lake, the little animal would turn into gold and grant that person their wishes.

Execution

Playing Toads

1. Players stand about 8 feet or so from the table
2. The first competitor throws two toads out of four
3. Then their opponent throws three out of four
4. From then on they throw all four per round, until they reach scores less than four
5. Wherein only the number of toads equal to the required finishing score may be thrown
   • If a toad enter the statues mouth, it is an automatic win.
   • If a toad goes down the hole it scores two points.
   • If it lands on the top it scores one point.
   • If it hits the back of the table or falls off, it is void.
   • So a grand total of eight points per turn can be scored.
6. Players must finish exactly as scoring more, results in the player going "bust".

Components and tools

Toad Game Table

The board game consists of a square wooden box (1.5x1.5 feet), wooden legs (2.5 feet tall)and a lead surface with a gaping brass toad sitting on top surrounded by holes, bridges and turnstiles; each with different values. The smallest tables would have one statue, with two, twelve and up to 25 holes on either side.
A popular feature is for the two holes either side of the Toad to have spinners. Sometimes a pair of holes further back are filled with a trapdoor that swings down if a coin lands on it. Disks that land successfully, slide down to the front of the table to a compartment at the front of the table showing the score.

Toss Tokens

The goal is to throw the heavy brass, iron or bronze chips called 'toads' into the holes to get the highest score- the toad's open mouth, being the hardest and most-rewarding throw.

Ornate Toad Figure

A common feature for this game is that the most difficult hole is in the shape of an ornate toad in the center. Its opening is about the width of a child's palm and rimmed with a round metal lip.

Alternative Names

• Toad Game
• Toad in the Hole

Primary Related Location

Tampu

Important Locations

• Qhapaq Ñan
• Tampu Wasi

Related Organizations

• First Quadrant
• Fourth Quadrant
• Second Quadrant
• Third Quadrant

Related Ethnicities

• Innoit
• Smoggy Cloud Clan