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I don't know what is the bigger news. Is it that there is a world marbles championship or that people still play marbles. Oh, excuse me, ringer for our British friends.

It is amazing that people play marbles and that there is a world marbles championship. The world marbles championship will be held in Prague, Czech Republic on July 22 - 24, 2005

Did you know that there is a Marbles Federation?

How about real rules for Marbles?

Here are the rules about marbles you can use:

2. Marble properties:
2.1 Both players have to use different color of marbles to eliminate confusion.
2.2 In the case that both players want to use the same color of marbles, the dispute is resolved as follows: Both players throw one marble in direction of the hole. The player, whose marble is closer to the hole, has the right to continue with his chosen color. The opponent has to choose a different color marbles.
2.3 The marbles should be made from any non-metal material and should be no greater than 16,5 mm in diameter. The referees are allowed to check abidance by these rules.
2.4 Each player may shoot with his marbles only. It is allowed to shoot own marble into opponent's to change their position or shoot own marbles in such a way as to create obstruction to opponent’s marbles.
2.5 The playing ground should be arranged both horizontally and vertically as evenly as possible. The throwing line is 7.5 m long from the center of the hole. The hole has to be 9 - 11 cm in diameter and minimum of 5 cm deep. There must be at least 2 m of free space behind the hole. The hole must be round.

They are still looking for sponsors at $300 a pop. So far, the only is Bert Cohen who is the master of marbles.

No word on whether this is going to be an Olympic sport.