Svaika (Russian: Свайка, IPA: [ˈsvajkə], lit.

'marlinspike') is a throwing game that was a favorite of Russian lower-class men up to the 20th century.

It is a game in which a marlinspike-like spear is thrown to land in the middle of a metal ring lying on the ground some distance away.

[1] A tool for the game can weigh up to five pounds.

By one account of events, Tsarevich Dmitry died from a stab wound while he was playing this game, although this is disputed.