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How to Play Beigoma

Summary

To play Beigoma, wrap a thin string around a small metal top, throw it onto a cloth playing floor, and compete to spin longest or knock opponents out.

Material:

  • One Beigoma per player
  • One string per player
  • A Beigoma floor: strong cloth stretched over a bucket, barrel, or low frame
  • Optional score cards for structured games

Prepare The String:

Beigoma strings need knots because the top has no central stem. The knots create a point where the string can catch the tip of the top.

For a beginner-friendly string, tie two knots close to one end of the string. A common setup places the two knots roughly 0.5-1 cm apart. The tip of the Beigoma sits between these knots when winding starts.

If the string is stiff or slips too easily, lightly wetting or softening it can make winding easier.

Wind The Top:

  1. Place the tip of the Beigoma between the two knots.
  2. Hold the loose end against the top with your thumb.
  3. Wrap the string tightly around the top, keeping the tip centered between the knots.
  4. Keep the winding firm and even. A loose winding usually causes a weak or unstable throw.

The goal is a compact wrap that releases cleanly when the string is pulled.

Hold And Throw:

Hold the wrapped Beigoma flat, with the top surface roughly parallel to the floor. Keep the hand low and close to the playing surface.

For beginners, the throw should feel more like a smooth release than a hard wrist snap. Move the hand forward and let the top drop while pulling the string away. If the wrist twists too much, the top often lands sideways and rolls instead of spinning.

Practice first without opponents. A useful beginner milestone is landing the top upright three times in a row.

First Game:

The simplest first rule is a Riki match:

  1. Two players throw their Beigoma onto the floor at the same time.
  2. If both tops land and spin, the top that keeps spinning longest wins.
  3. If one player misses the floor, that player loses or the round is repeated, depending on the local rule.
  4. If both tops leave the floor at the same time, repeat the round.

Once players can throw reliably, add Hajiki rules, tournament formats, or point cards.

Common Beginner Problems:

  • The top rolls away: keep the hand flatter and reduce wrist twist.
  • The string slips while winding: make the knots larger or soften the string.
  • The top does not spin strongly: wind tighter and pull the string more smoothly.
  • Players miss the floor often: start closer to the floor and use a larger practice target.

Safety And Facilitation:

Beigoma are small metal objects. Keep faces and bare feet away from the playing floor, collect loose tops before the next throw, and avoid crowding around the floor.

For children or mixed-skill groups, use ordinary unmodified tops first. This keeps the game more accessible and reduces the advantage of highly tuned equipment.

Source:

Based mainly on Tokyo Beigoma learning material and the Galiton beginner guide.