Ringing the bull is a pub game.

It involves swinging a bull's nose-ring, which is attached to a string, in an arc so as to hook it onto a bull's horn or hook attached to the wall. (It must stay on the horn or hook in order to count as a successful throw.)

There is a vibrant and thriving tradition of playing this game at what is reputedly the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trippe to Jerusalem in Nottingham.

Caribbean variant

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The game was adopted by the earlier settlers of the Caribbean islands, where it is also referred to as the Bimini Ring Game. When the hook is attached to a post or pole, the ring can actually be swung behind the hook, catching on the hook as it swings back. If the ring is caught by the hook, the score is two points. If the ring is first swung from behing the hook and it swings back and catches on the hook, the score for the throw is three points.

References

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• Finn, Timothy: Pub Games of England (Oleander Press)

External links

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• Online guide to traditional games

Pub games