Additional Gonggi Games
Also available in these languages:
Pick your favorite Gonggi game:
Precision Gonggi (Curling/Petanque Style)
Game Objective:
Place your stones as close as possible to a central target (it can be a coin, a cap, a token, etc.), without needing to avoid contact with other stones. Pushing, bumping, moving... everything is allowed!
Materials needed:
- 5 stones (dice) per player (preferably in different colors for easy identification).
- A small object to serve as the central target (called the “goal” or “center”).
- A flat, clean surface (table, floor, etc.).
How to play:
- Place the target in the center of the playing area.
- Players take turns throwing their 5 stones one by one, from an agreed distance (you can mark it with tape, a book, or an imaginary line).
- Stones are slid along the surface, like in curling or pétanque.
During their turns, players can:
- Try to place their stones close to the target.
- Bump or knock opponent’s stones intentionally.
- Defend their own stones strategically.
Once all players have thrown their 5 stones, check the final positions to determine the outcome.
How to score:
- Only the stones closest to the target are counted, no matter how they got there — by pushing, bouncing, or luck.
- Only one player scores per round: count how many of their stones are closer to the center than the nearest opponent's stone.
- Each valid stone is worth 1 point.
Optional variations:
- Chaos Mode: everyone throws at the same time (more fun, more chaos!).
- Elimination Mode: any stone that directly touches the target is removed from the game.
- You can play for a set number of rounds (e.g., 3 or 5), or until a player reaches a total score (e.g., 10 points).
Color Surprise Gonggi (Individual Reflexes)
Game Objective:
Each player throws their 5 stones into the air and tries to catch only the stone of the announced color before it hits the table. Reflexes, precision, and concentration are key to winning.
Materials Needed:
- 5 differently colored stones per player.
- One person acting as the announcer (can rotate between rounds).
- Enough space to throw the stones without interference.
How to Play:
- Each player gets ready with their 5 colored stones in hand.
- The announcer loudly calls out a color before the throw. Example: “Green!”
- All players throw their 5 stones into the air at the same time.
- Each player must quickly catch the stone of that color before it hits the table or floor.
- If they catch it correctly, they earn a point. If they miss or catch the wrong one, they score nothing or get a penalty (depending on group rules).
Scoring
- +1 point if you catch the correct stone.
- –1 point if you catch the wrong one.
- 0 points if you catch none.
- The first player to reach X points (e.g., 5 or 10) wins.
Optional Variations:
- Double Color: The announcer can call out two colors, and players must catch both stones.
- Color + Condition: Example: “Red with the left hand!”
Target Gonggi (Controlled Precision Throwing)
Game Objective:
Throw the stones trying to land them inside the circles with the highest score, just like in a dartboard. Precision and control are key to winning.
Materials Needed:
- 5 stones per player (they can be all the same color or different).
- A large sheet of paper, cardboard, or even the table surface to draw the circles.
- A marker or tape to mark the scoring zones.
Setup:
- Draw a target with concentric circles on the table or on a sheet of paper, like a dartboard.
- Assign a score to each circle. For example:
- Center circle: 5 points
- Second circle: 3 points
- Third circle: 2 points
- Outer zone: 1 point
- Outside the target: 0 points
- Set a line from which players must throw their stones (the distance can vary depending on the players’ age).
How to Play:
- Players take turns throwing their 5 stones, one by one, from behind the marked line.
- Stones must slide (not be tossed upward or bounced) to be able to stop inside the circles.
- At the end of the turn, add up the points according to each stone’s final position.
- The player with the most points at the end of the round wins.
Optional Rules:
- If a stone touches two circles, the score of the circle where most of the stone lies is counted.
- If a stone knocks another out of the target, both are scored based on their final position.
- You can decide whether players can push their own stones strategically (like in curling or pétanque).
Optional Variations:
- Multi Mode: Each player throws all 5 stones at once. Chaos and strategy combined!
- Duel Mode: Two players throw at the same time. If one knocks the opponent’s stone out of the center—bonus!
- Time Attack Mode: Throw all 5 stones in under 10 seconds.
Tips:
- Use a surface where the stones slide easily (wooden table, laminated cardboard, etc.).
- Decorate the circles to make it look like a real target—it’s more fun!
- Add funny names to each zone ("hot zone", "limbo", "edge of the abyss"...) to make the game even more entertaining.
Mirror Gonggi (Reverse Perception Challenge)
Game Objective:
Complete a Gonggi level using your non-dominant hand (e.g., your left hand if you're right-handed) while watching yourself in a mirror. The challenge increases as your movements appear reversed — leading to visual confusion and lots of laughs!
Materials Needed:
- 5 Gonggi stones
- A medium-sized mirror (table, bathroom, or portable style)
- A surface or wall to place the mirror in front of the player
- Enough space to play comfortably facing the mirror
How to Play:
- The player sits or stands in front of a mirror with their 5 stones ready.
- Before starting, they must place their hands where they can see them clearly reflected.
- Choose a Gonggi level (1 to 5) or assign one at random. It’s best to start with the easier levels — it’s not easy!
- The player must complete the level using only their non-dominant hand and without looking away from the mirror.
- They cannot look directly at the stones.
- If they look away, they lose the round.
- If they complete the level correctly and without mistakes, they score a point!
Fun Variations:
- Mirror Mode + Timer: How long does it take each player to complete a level under these conditions? Fastest one wins.
- Mirror Mode + Hand Switch: Do two consecutive levels, one with each non-dominant hand (perfect for ambidextrous players!).
Helpful Tips:
- Use a mirror with good lighting to clearly see reflections.
- Don’t place distracting objects behind the mirror.
- This game is perfect for group laughter or as a fun challenge in friendly competition.
Gonggi Color Sequence
Game Objective:
Follow a color sequence and complete Gonggi Level 1 with precision and in the correct order. Each color has its exact moment: one is thrown, another is picked up. The player who completes the full sequence without mistakes wins.
Materials Needed:
- 10 stones of different colors (ideally: 2 Gonggi sets)
- A clear, flat playing surface
- A narrator (or color cards) to announce the sequence
- (Optional) Stopwatch for a time challenge
How to Play:
- The player lays out all colored stones on the table, clearly visible.
- The narrator announces a sequence of colors, for example: “Green, blue, red, yellow”
- The player must:
- Pick up the green stone and toss it in the air
- While it’s in the air, pick up the blue stone from the table or floor
- Catch the green stone
- Then toss the red stone in the air
- Pick up the yellow
- Finish by tossing the last stone of the sequence and grabbing any other stone to close the turn
- The player loses the round if they:
- Use the wrong color
- Change the order
- Fail to catch the tossed stone
Variations to Increase Difficulty:
- Memory Mode: Show the sequence for 5 seconds, then hide it
- Timed Mode: Complete the full sequence in 30 seconds or less
- Mirror Mode: Perform the sequence in reverse order


