Jacks, also called jackstones, is the name of a children’s game played with small metal objects called jacks. Players must pick up the jacks from the ground while tossing and catching a ball or another jack. Children usually play with a ball and six or more jacks. Players take turns trying to do a number of stunts without a miss. The first player to complete the stunts wins the game. Some of these stunts are called Downs and Ups, Upcast, Downcast, Scrubs, Bounce, and No Bounce.
Jacks without a ball is faster and more difficult. Ten jacks are usually used. Stunts are performed while one jack is being tossed in the air. Some of the stunts are Over and Back, Scatters, Pigs in the Pen, and Sweeps.
Each metal jack has six points. The game probably came from Pebble Jackstones, which is still played in Asia and Europe. An older Asian game used knucklebones of sheep or other animals.
