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The Original Game of Jacks

Osselets is an interesting game played by kids of all ages in Haiti. It’s an interesting cross between jacks and dice games. It is traditionally played with the knuckle bones of goats. Today, colorful plastic models (Osselets Arc-en-Ciel, GogoJacks) replace the bones and are available online. However, some Haitians still play with the traditional knuckle bone versions purchased in the local Haitian markets.

The earliest representation of the game of Jacks appears in Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey and also from ancient greek ceramic paintings depicting men and gods playing Jacks.

The ancient name of “talus” got transalated over the ages and adapted to different styles of playing in different countries. The name varies from “Osselet” in French, to “Jacks” or “Egyptian Jacks” in English, and “Tabas” in Spanish.

During their military campaigns and conquests, the Romans introduced the game into many countries. However, many countries that the Romans never visited, like Asia, were already playing the game.

These small bones were initially used to predict the future, to place bets and as a garrison game. Now it can be found in school playgrounds in many countries around the world.