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Games That Originated In Canada – from Crokinole to Balderdash

Games That Originated In Canada – from Crokinole to Balderdash
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in Entertainment
25 Sep 2024

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Ask anyone about Canada, and they will most likely mention having the longest coastline in the world or being the world’s second-largest country based on land mass. Sports lovers will talk about ice hockey, the game with the biggest following in the country. However, most people will not bring Canada into the picture when you mention classic and modern games.

What if I told you that some of your favorite games were invented in Canada before being adopted in other parts of the world? This article examines some of the games produced in Canada and how they have influenced the gaming world.

Crokinole

Crokinole is a French word for croquignole, which means flicking with a finger. This game has many versions worldwide, but the original Crokinole was created in Sebastopol, Ontario in 1876. Eckhardt Wettlaufer, well-known for his woodwork skills, crafted the first Crokinole board as a birth gift for his son Adam.

Other versions of Crokinole boards were designed in Sebastopol around the same period, though the patent was done in New York in 1880. Played on an octagonal or circular board, Crokinole combines curling and shuffleboard elements. Players compete to score points on the innermost part of the board by knocking off their opponent’s discs.

Other versions of Crokinole include East Indian carrom and British shovelboard. The annual World Crokinole Championship is held in Tavistock, Ontario.

Balderdash

The popular board game Balderdash was created in 1984 in Toronto by Laura Robison and Paul Toyne. To date, more than 15 million copies have been sold.

Balderdash means “nonsense or senseless talking”. Players tackle an obscure question through several fake answers and then try to figure out the correct answer from the made-up ones. One requires excellent mastery of vocabulary and bluffing skills.

If you love playing strategic online games like Poker, Balderdash can be an exciting game to try.

Yahtzee

A wealthy Canadian couple invented Yahtzee in 1954. They played it on their yacht with friends and was originally known as the Yacht Game.

Players in this game take turns in rolling 5 die to achieve specific rolls with different values. A lucky player who rolls the same value with all 5 die calls out the word “Yahtzee”.

Millions of people globally play Yahtzee regularly, making it one of the most popular games in Canada. Yahtzee might not be as famous compared to slots such as Sweet Bonanza, which is not created by Canadians, but still appeals to millions of players globally.

Trivial Pursuit

In 1979, Canadian friends Chris Haney and Scott Abbott designed a trivia game called Trivial Pursuit. Haney worked as an editor for the Montreal Gazette while Parker was a sports journalist for The Canadian Press. The two friends trademarked Trivial Pursuit in 1981 and licensed it to Selchow and Righter in 1882. The initial 1000 copies of the game were released in Canada.

Trivial Pursuit reached its popularity peak in 1984 when it sold 20 million copies. Parker brothers bought the game in 1988 for $80 million and marketed it globally to hit over 100 million sales. The game has been translated into over 20 languages.

Rummoli

Developed in 1940 by Copp Clark Publishing Company, Rummoli is played on a board with a deck of cards and chips. The game needs between two and eight players where they use a betting system to discard cards and gain chips. The game combines elements of poker and rummy. The easy playing rules and a mix of luck and card-playing strategy are some of the reasons why Rummoli is still relevant in Canada more than 84 years later.

Mega Bloks

Created in 1985, the jumbo plastic building blocks are popular worldwide and sold in over 100 nations. Mega Brands invented them and has plants in Montreal, Canada, the USA, and China, making it the most successful Quebec gaming story. Mega Blocks are similar to LEGO building blocks and quite popular in family games and educational settings.

Canada is the origin of many fascinating games played by millions of players globally. It is home to some classic and modern games. Most of the games are created for entertainment. However, real money players are also not left out as leading slot suppliers like Playtech, Microgaming, NetEnt, Yggdrasil Gaming, and Play’n Go continue to serve Canadian gamers with hi-tech games.


Craig Silva

Craig is a passionate and seasoned travel, food, and lifestyle writer, whose words paint vivid pictures of the world's most captivating destinations. His work not only inspires others to embark on their own adventures but also fosters a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our world. He captures the essence of each locale, offering readers a glimpse into the cultures, landscapes, cuisine, and experiences that make travel so enriching. Craig is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Travel Writers Alliance (ITWA). If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.

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