Liubo (-700) – Board Game Guys

Liubo

Liubo is an ancient Chinese board game dating back to at least 400 BC, possibly even as far back as 700 BC. It was a popular game during the Warring States Period (475–403 BCE) and reached its greatest popularity during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). The game is believed to be the ancestor of all battle board games in the world today, such as Chinese chess and chess.

Origins

Liubo was invented by Wu Cao (Wu Zhou), a minister to King Jie, the last king of the Xia dynasty, who reigned from 1728 to 1675 BCE. The game’s popularity increased during the Han Dynasty, with many examples of Liubo boards or sets of Liubo game pieces found in high-status tombs dating to this period.

Gameplay

Liubo was a two-player game, and although the exact rules are largely lost, it is believed to have been a race game, possibly with an objective to move all of one’s counters to a finishing location at some location on the board. It may have also combined elements of race games with those of war games, such as chess.

Decline and Re-discovery

Liubo’s popularity waned after the Han Dynasty, and it eventually became completely forgotten. However, with recent archaeological discoveries, the game has gained more recognition and understanding.

Game Components of Liubo

Board: A square game board with a distinctive, symmetrical pattern, often featuring L, V, and T marks.

Game Pieces: Each player has six pieces, with some special pieces like the “Owl”.

Dice/Sticks: Moves are determined by the throw of six sticks, similar to dice in other games.

Divination Diagrams: Some boards include turtle divination diagrams and prognostications, indicating a dual use for divination.

How To Setup Liubo

Setting up Liubo involves placing the six game pieces for each player on designated marks on the board. The exact starting positions are not well-documented, but it is believed that pieces start on L-shaped marks and aim to move to V-shaped corner marks based on the throws of the sticks.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2 players.

Game Category: Strategy and gambling game, with elements of divination.

Game Mechanics:
– Pieces moved around the board based on throws of six sticks.
– Objective to block opponent’s pieces or recover blocked pieces.
– Points awarded for blocking or recovering pieces; first player to six points wins.

Variants: A variant called Chupu used dice instead of sticks.

Player Experience

Playing Liubo was a complex and strategic experience, involving both luck and skill. The game was not only a form of entertainment but also had significant cultural and divinatory importance. Players had to navigate the board carefully, using the throws of the sticks to their advantage, and strategize to block or recover their pieces.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game required a mix of luck and strategy, making it engaging and challenging.

Cultural Significance: Liubo was deeply ingrained in ancient Chinese culture, reflecting aspects of cosmology and divination.

Historical Value: The game provides insights into the gaming habits and cultural practices of ancient China.

Cons

Lost Rules: The exact rules of the game have largely been lost, making it difficult to play accurately today.

Complex Setup: The setup and gameplay mechanics are not fully understood, which can make the game confusing for modern players.

Limited Availability: The game is no longer widely played and is mostly known through archaeological findings and historical texts.

Personal Thoughts on Liubo

Liubo is a fascinating piece of ancient Chinese history, offering a glimpse into the gaming and cultural practices of a bygone era. While it is challenging to fully reconstruct the game due to the loss of its original rules, it remains an intriguing subject for historians and game enthusiasts. Liubo would be most appealing to those interested in ancient history, cultural studies, and board game enthusiasts looking to explore unique and historical games. Despite its complexity and the gaps in our understanding, Liubo stands as a testament to the ingenuity and cultural richness of ancient China.

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