Tablero de Jesús

Sympkyn of the Moor

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (1971)

Tablero de Jesús is a dice-based board game presented as a 15th-century Andalusian monastic game but now recognised as a modern invention. Popularised in the 1970s—especially among members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)—it remains a well-loved game for its strategic simplicity and potential for adaptation, even though no historical precedent exists for it prior to the late 20th century.

History

  • Purported Origin: 15th-century Andalusia (debunked)

  • True Origin: Circa 1970s, popularised within SCA circles

  • First Publication: Described in New York Magazine in 1971

  • Notable Promoter: Sir Gerhard Kendal of Westmoreland (SCA)

  • Historical Status: Hoax / Modern invention presented as historic

Equipment

  • Board: 7×7 square grid

  • Tokens: 49 coins or markers (1 per square)

  • Dice: 2 six-sided dice (standard d6)

  • Players: 2

Objective

Claim more coins than your opponent by the end of the game. Players roll dice to move and select coins, using strategy to outmanoeuvre each other across the board.

Rules (Traditional / SCA Version)

Setup

  • Place one coin in each of the 49 squares on the 7×7 grid.

  • Determine who goes first by rolling dice.

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, roll two dice.

  2. You may take one of two actions:

    • Claim the coin in the square matching the combined total (e.g. 3+4 = square 7).

    • Move your token (if variant rules include a token) to the space indicated.

  3. Once a coin is claimed, that square becomes empty.

  4. Players alternate turns until all coins are claimed or a set number of turns are played.

Winning

  • The player who collects the most coins wins the game.

Optional Rules and Variants

1. Tablero da Gucci (Drinking Variant)

  • Replace coins with 49 small glasses filled with beer or spirits.

  • Players drink the contents of any square they claim.

  • Popular in informal settings and SCA gatherings.

2. Token Movement Variant

  • Each player controls a token that moves about the board according to dice rolls.

  • Only coins adjacent to the token may be claimed.

  • Adds a positional layer of strategy.

3. Time Limit or Turn Limit

  • Set a timer or limit turns to avoid games running too long.

Summary Table

Rule Aspect Details
Players 2
Board 7×7 grid
Dice 2 six-sided dice
Gameplay Roll dice to claim coins
Winning Most coins collected by game end
Variants Drinking game, token-based movement
Historical Claim Medieval Andalusian (debunked; modern invention)