The Maya played many games, including a board game called Bul. Do you think Bul might be similar to the board games you play today? You can play Bul to find out what it is like to play a Mayan game.

At Play Bul, A Mayan Game of Chance:

• Read about the history of Bul. Study how to play the game.

• Scroll down to Play Bul and click.

• Follow the directions to play the game.

• If you want to play a faster game, you can click Play Bul Faster or Play Bul Fastest.

What to do next

Answer the questions below.

1. How do historians know that the Maya played board games?

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2. How were the board and game pieces for Bul created?

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3. What was the object of the game? How was the winner determined?

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4. Was there a time limit to the game? How did it end?

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5. Which board game in stores today do you think is most like the game of Bul? Explain your answer.

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To complete your project

You've played Bul with a partner, so you have an idea what the game is like. Now work with your group to design a new game. It can be a modern game or it can resemble a Mayan game, but it should reflect the culture of the time you choose.

First, decide on the rules of the game. Who will start? What is the object of the game? How will the winner be determined? Next, think about the elements you will need to play the game. What will the board look like? What will the playing pieces look like? How will the pieces move on the board? When you have decided what you want your game to be like, draw the game board on posterboard and use colored paper and paste to make the game pieces. Write down the rules for your game so other students will know how to play. Then invite the students in your class to play the game with you.