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Basic Beigoma Rules and Refereeing

Summary

Beigoma rules should be strict enough to create tension and flexible enough that beginners still get meaningful attempts.

Starting A Round:

Players stand around the floor with their Beigoma wrapped and ready. A common start uses a shared call such as kamaete, chitchi-no-chi, then all players throw at the same time.

For beginner workshops, the exact wording matters less than a clear shared rhythm. Everyone should understand when the throw happens.

Common Win Conditions:

Riki win

The top that keeps spinning longest on the floor wins.

A common close-call rule is the three-second rule: if one top spins at least three seconds longer than the other, it wins. If the difference is shorter, repeat the round.

Hajiki win

A player wins by knocking an opponent's top out of the floor.

This is usually more dynamic and more tactical than pure longest-spin play.

Team Hajiki win

In team formats, a stronger result may be counted when a team knocks opponents out while both players from the same team remain spinning on the floor.

Rethrows And Draws:

A rethrow is useful when the round gives no meaningful result. Common cases:

  • all players miss the floor
  • all tops are knocked out at the same time
  • tops never touch in a rule set that requires contact
  • a Riki result is too close to judge clearly

The facilitator should announce rethrows quickly. Long debates slow the game and reduce energy.

Floor Misses:

A floor miss means the Beigoma does not land on the playing floor. In strict rules, this can immediately count as a loss or give points to the opponent.

For beginner-friendly tournament rules, Tokyo Beigoma describes allowing more flexibility: for example, only counting a floor miss as a loss after two consecutive misses. This keeps beginners from losing without playing at all.

Refereeing Principles:

  • State the local rule before the game starts.
  • Use the same rule for the whole round or tournament.
  • In unclear situations, follow the referee or organizer's decision.
  • For beginner groups, prefer clear momentum over perfect precision.
  • For serious matches, define floor miss, rethrow, contact, and close Riki decisions in advance.

Workshop Notes:

A good default for mixed groups is:

  • normal tops only
  • rethrow if everyone misses
  • beginner grace for the first floor miss
  • Riki and Hajiki both count
  • referee decision is final once announced

Source:

Based on Tokyo Beigoma terminology, tournament rules, and point-match guidance.