Game Spotlight: KerPlunk

If you never got a KerPlunk game as a kid, but the cool neighbors had one, you are just like me.  Yeah, the cool neighbors, the ones that had not only the complete base Star Wars figures set, but also the Death Star playset and the motherfather Millenium Falcon!  But, as I digress with some pent up green ill will, they did have KerPlunk amongst their somewhat elitist toy collection. They would bring the game out like the “Jones’” showing off a shiny new 1985 station wagon with stereo cassette deck knowing our collection of games consited of an already fifteen year old Monoploy and a Trouble game with a cracked Pop-O-Matic bubble.

 “KerPlunk is the game where you take your pick and pull a stick.  If all the marbles fall, you lose it all!  You’re only sunk if they go…”. KerPlunk is one of those games that looks really cool, but takes a bit of set up, so usually we only ever got around 2 or 3 rounds played.  It’s a cross between Jenga and Pick-up Sticks.  The new versions have lights and swirly slides and themes, but who needs that.  Give me the sound of a marble hitting hard plastic everytime.

 KerPlunk was born in 1967, marketed by the Ideal Toy Company.  The plastic tube came in several colors and the box contained about 30 “straws” and lots of marbles.  The straws are shoved into the multitude of holes in the center of the tube and the marbles are dropped into the top, held from falling by the ever changing lattice work of the straws.  The game’s perfect name comes from the sound of the marbles dropping into the numbered trays below as an unlucky player pulls out the wrong straw forcing gravity to work its magic. Everyone takes turns in order pulling out one straw, hoping the choice doesn’t send marbles down to the bottom.  Obviously, the goal is to not end up being the one with the most marbles in your tray.  If only I could have taken it home and studied the tube for the most optimal straw placement?  I could have won every game.

 KerPlunk is for 2-4 players ages 5 and up.  Today it’s marketed by Mattel in the US and Milton Bradley in the UK.  Runs about 14 or 15 bucks on Amazon.

 As always, play more games!