Bloody Knuckles or Quarters is a schoolyard game played between two people. The players sit on opposite sides of each other at a table. One player makes their hands into fists and rests them on the table with their knuckles facing outwards. The second player places a coin (usually a quarter) on the table and attempts to flick it with their thumb and index finger so that it slides across, hitting the first player's knuckles as hard as possible. Technically, the first player to bleed from the knuckle is the loser, however most players continue to play after this has happened. Larger coins (such as a Toonie) can also be used to replace the traditional quarter as a more painful variation to the game.

In many occasions, the above-mentioned circumstances are consequential as a sub-game of another game. For example, sometimes a player would spin a coin. Then, both players would have to flick the spinning coin with their finger. The first person to be unable to flick the coin in a fashion that would have it continuously spinning must then put his or her knuckle down and have the other player flick the coin at his or her knuckles. As an added dimension to the game, the winner may win the quarter after drawing blood from their opponent's knuckle and the loser will have to provide another quarter for the game to continue.

How to play

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Using a quarter, two people should sit down in front of a smooth surface, such as a table. The thumb should then be placed on top of the quarter, with the index and middle fingers in a "Y" shape. Then, as hard as possible, fling the quarter through one's fingers and aim toward the opponent's knuckles. Then, if the opponent is going to hit one's knuckles, place them down on the table in full view to be hit.

The flick

The coin is generally flicked by placing the thumb down on the coin with the four remaining fingers spread in front, pointing towards the receiving player's knuckles. The thumb is brought quickly towards the four fingers and bringing the thumb together with the fingers, while the quarter flies past. Another variation is to put only the index and middle finger in front of the thumb to aid in aiming (the coin should slide between these two fingers). Another recent variation is one in which players try to "catch" the quarter between the index and middle finger. If it falls out, the player strikes the other player's knuckles.

External links

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• bloodyknuckles.org