If you've played this game before you know how intense it can get. Its name in the Arab world comes from 'mjakara', which is exactly the effect produced by this strange little 'game'.
Originally from 16th century India, Jackaro was played with cloth and stones instead of with a board and dice.
You play this game for hours and hours on end and you take it more seriously than your teta's secret Mansaf recipe. But you always have that one friend who has no idea what in the world is going on. And you can't really blame them.
Here's what's going through their head:
1. This looks like a game we played when we were kids
Okay ... I think I know this game.
*friend begins to explain*
Wait! WHAT?! Where's the dice and why are there cards involved?!
2. Why is that marble going backwards?
Okay, so she used the King to get the marble on the base but why is she smiling if the marble is going backwards?
3. Why is he throwing his cards away?
He has a two Queens and 2 fives ... I don't get this ... they can get him far!
Ahhhh! Okay! He doesn't have any marbles in the game. SOMEONE GIVE THIS GUY AN ACE OR A KING!
4. She just backstabbed her partner
This is a stab in the back! She played the three and killed him...they're supposed to be partners not enemies ... or maybe they're actually frenemies?!
5. Why are they swapping marbles?
Oh my GOD! She swapped his marble with her's ... he has to start all over again!!
6. Okay he just won
One of his marble just made it safely into the base ... what's next?
My God, he still has three more marbles!!!
7. And she's moving two marbles why?
She just threw a seven and moved one marble five and the second marble two to the front which has landed it safe and sound into the base ... makes total sense. Not.
8. Another one bites the dust
WHY THE HECK IS HE MOVING HIS MARBLE BACKWARDS?! FOUR FOUR!! MOVE IT FOUR STEPS FORWARDS!!! WHAT IS THIS SHINDIG?!
9. Why is he moving her marbles?
All his marbles are in the base, but why is he playing with her marbles ... HE'S RUINING HER PLAN! LEAVE HER MARBLES ALONE!! BURN YOUR USELESS CARDS!
I give up on this game ...
10. Beginner's luck!
The game ends ... and I won ...
Wait! What?! I won?!!
I LOVE THIS GAME YALLA ROUND TWO! I'M THE JACKARO MASTER!
There's even a mobile game
A Jordanian gaming studio just released a Jackaro mobile game to entertain you while you're on the toilet, in bed or just bored. And you can play against your friends online...so you won't have to leave comfort of your warm couch!
Jackaro all day errydaay!