Table skittles

There are different regional versions of the game, including "Devil Among the Tailors" in England and Tischkegel in Austria.

Devil Among the Tailors is a traditional English pub game dating from the 18th century.

The hood skittles table is leather bound, and has leather-cushioned rails to the sides and the back, with a curved hood of leather or netting stretched up from the rear like a pram, approximately a metre over the bed of the table.

The player throws oblate "cheeses" rather than spherical balls, similar to those used in the game of bowls.

The skittles are about 15 cm high, circular at the bottom but widening higher up then tapering to a shallow point, which leaves them slightly top heavy.

A player's turn consists of three throws, with the skittles set up in a diamond pattern.

That is, the spinning top usually moves in semi-circular sweeps toward the higher right-hand side.

At the far end is a depression where the fallen skittles land (although they often remain on the playing surface).

In order to achieve better top properties, it is also reinforced horizontally with 4 nails on each side.

The player stands at the front of the table and usually holds the top between thumb and forefinger to spin it.

Variants include: In the region of southern Upper Austria table skittles is called Drauln.

Tournaments are held regularly and runs as follows: there is a Stand in which 5 spins may be played (with or without money).

If the player likes the trial spin, he can count this as the first game and waive the rest.

Since some players spin using ashes or chalk to achieve a better grip, for example with wet fingers, the track repeatedly gets dirty.

A regional variation in the area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen (known locally as Werdenfelser Land) is what is known here as Stoßbuddeln (or Stossbuddeln).