The Sock Game

When was the last time a game reduced you to tears? Let’s be clear here, I do consider myself ‘a crier’ generally, but it’s normally at videos of dogs rescuing otters and becoming their best friend, not when I’m focused on winning a board game. (And believe me, I am always focused on winning.) The Sock Game though… The Sock Game got me when I was least expecting it. Let me tell you why.

What Is The Sock Game

The Sock Game is, as you might expect, a game in a sock. Two socks in fact – it’s a two player or two team game, head to head sock action, or perhaps that should be toe to toe. Each sock has the same thirty small objects inside and all you have to do is be the first person to pull out the object chosen each round by the spinner, using just your sense of touch.

The Sock Game Origins

Brothers Jono and Nick Green are the designers behind The Sock Game, having played it with their Dad’s woolly socks growing up. The Sock Game quickly became a family tradition for them, a tradition which they felt compelled to share with the world. Very much like my own invention called Button Match Game, except no one in my family will play with me.

Light Family Game, Sounds Harmless

Doesn’t it? I thought so too until my sister brought it out last Christmas for us to play. Initially I was underwhelmed – ‘pull some stuff out of a sock? Sure, I’ll give it a go.’ It’s Christmas after all, you’re obliged to join in. What I hadn’t accounted for was how sometimes the very simplest of concepts can be the most nerve wracking.

How To Play

Start by getting your socks ready. The box contains two long socks, two sets of 30 items, which get shoved into each sock, a dual spinner and score board, two scoring counters and instructions. Take a sock each if there are two of you or split into two teams. If you’re in teams you can take turns with the sock while the rest of your team shouts words of encouragement and mops your brow.

Start the round by spinning the spinner. Ideally you’ll have someone to do this who doesn’t have their hands primed and ready to dive into a sock, but if there really are only two of you then you can take turns. Once the spinner stops and you know what you’re looking for, get stuck in. No hands in the sock before you start and no peeping – you’re working just on feel here.

Once you think you have the right item, pull it clear of the sock, wave it in the air, shout a bit if that’s your thing. If you’ve found the right item you score a point. Two players play the first to five, teams play the first to eleven, and you must win by a clear two points, like a tennis tie-breaker.

Be warned, some of the pieces are easy to muddle up in the heat of the moment, and no one wants the gut wrenching disappointment of pulling out a dice when you thought you had a Lego brick. Believe me. If you pull out the wrong piece you have to put it back in and start the search again.

Are There Any Tactics

It all comes down to your sock entry technique in my opinion. Do you try to plunge your hand in, all in one go, and risk snagging? Or do you pull the sock more carefully up and over your arm? What you gain in accuracy can cost you in time here, and time is everything in The Sock Game. I recommend experimenting and seeing what feels best for you.

If you find yourself getting too good at it or bored of the same playing pieces it would be very easy to expand on the game yourself by adding in your own playing pieces or switching up the rules, so you have to find multiple pieces at a time for example.

It Sounds Fun, Why Did You Cry Again

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. I was about halfway through my second or third round, playing either my sister or my niece, I can’t remember, such was the rush of adrenaline through my veins. I was poised ready to push my hand into the sock in search of whatever might come up next and I just burst into tears. I can’t explain it, it was sheer overwhelm of excitement and tension and fun. Perhaps too many Elizabth Shaw Chocolate Mints – it was Christmas after all – who knows.

All I can tell you is that The Sock Game is NOT a game to be underestimated. It’s brilliant fun for the whole family, simple but effective, but not for the faint hearted if you take your games as seriously as me.

Editors Note: This blog has been published for the use of the two Sock Game board games.