Boku
Categories: Abstract Games Board Games New Games Events
About
Boku also marketed as Bollox, although someone did realise the meaning of the word and quickly changed the name. Although there are many games that involve trying to make rows of a set length ranging from noughts and crosses (tick – tack – toe) to gomoku. The extra sandwich rule that Boku introduces dramatically changes the shape and play of the game. As there are so few rules the game can be learnt in a matter of minutes, although there are many traps so thought is required. There is a big advantage to the first player so two rounds are played in each match using the same time for both.
Rules
Boku has a very simple rule set each player can place a ball in any empty space on the board with the exception of the sandwich rule. The aim is to be first player to achieve a line of five in a row on the hexagonal board. A sandwich is when a piece is placed at the end of one of your own colour followed by two of the opponents pieces. If a sandwich is made by you in your turn you can remove one of your opponent's balls that have just been sandwiched. Then your opponent cannot play in the space where the removed piece has just been taken on the next move. To compensate for black's big advantage with the opening move once a line-of-five has been made another game is played using the remaining time from the first game but with colours swapped. If no winning line could be made the game is a draw.
You can find out about opportunities to play Boku live at Timetable. Please report any external links that have broken or have changed to contain inappropriate material. More information about how tournament play works can be found in Using Clocks and MSO Rules.
MSO Boku Champions
| Year | Name | Country | Flag | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | David Pearce | England |  |
World Champion |
| 2007 | James Heppell | England | |
World Champion |
| 2006 | David Pearce | England | |
World Champion |
| 2005 | Joey Ho | Hong Kong |  |
World Champion |
| 2004 | David Pearce | England | |
World Champion |
| 2003 | David Pearce | England | |
World Champion |
| 2002 | Ben Pridmore | England | |
World Champion |
| 2001 | Jan Palmgren | Sweden |  |
World Champion |
| 2000 | David Glaude | Belgium |  |
World Champion |
Full results and other winners can be found in Results.
MSO Boku Ranked Players:
GRANDMASTER:
David Pearce
INTERNATIONAL MASTER:
James Heppell
Jan Palmgren
Joey Ho
CANDIDATE MASTER:
External Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boku_(game)
http://users.skynet.be/glu/boku.htm
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/69