Yut Nori Guide: Learn This Traditional Korean Game

Ever wondered what games Koreans play during their free time? In this article, we'll be introducing a traditional board game called Yut Nori (윷놀이)? 

Join the Daebak Company as we explain more information about this traditional board game, how to play Yut Nori, and how to win.

The game, Yut Nori, is a traditional board game that has been played in Korea for thousands of years. But over the years, Yut Nori has undergone multiple changes. 

It was normally played during Korea’s most special holidays, the Lunar New Year (설날 or Seollal) and Chuseok (추석). 

The game is seen as an opportunity for family and community bonding. It can be played by many people of all ages. Yut Nori was played as an expression of hope for an abundant harvest in the fall and an opportunity for lots of laughter.

To play Yut Nori you will need several pieces. Here's what you need to know about the pieces of the game: 

Next, you will need the Yut sticks, which are also called jang-jak yut (장작 윷). These are four small wooden sticks with a curved side and a flat side on either end. 

The Yut sticks act as the dice and determine how many spaces you can move for each turn. The flat and round sides symbolize the balance between yin and yang.

Lastly, you will need game pieces called mal (말). 

You can use any game pieces, such as coins, buttons, chess pieces, or other materials. 

Each team needs four pieces that should be distinguishable from the opposing team.

Yut Nori is played by two teams who take turns throwing the Yut sticks and moving their pieces (mal). 

On every turn, your team can choose to move one game piece on the board. There are many routes you can take around the board. There is no specific path you can take.

The only goal is that you try to get each of your pieces around the board and back to your home base.

There is no limit on the size of each team. When it is your turn, a player will throw the Yut sticks into the air and wait for them to land. The number of spaces you move your piece will be determined by the Yut sticks. Each combination has a different name.

• If the sticks fall with only one flat side up, it is called do (도) or pig. Your team can move one space. 
• If the sticks fall with two flat sides up, it is called gae (개); which means dog. You can move two spaces. 
• If the sticks fall with 3 flat sides up, it's called geol (걸) or sheep. Your team can move threespaces. 
• Lastly, if all sticks fall with all flat sides up, it is called yut (윳); meaning cow. You can move four spaces and you get an extra turn. 
• A special combination is when the sticks fall with all flat sides facing down. This is called mo (모) or horse and gives you a chance to move five spaces and get another turn.

Here are some important things to remember when playing Yut Nori:

• If your game piece lands in the same space as the other team’s piece, then the other team’s piece must go all the way back to the beginning. 
• If your game piece lands in the same space as another one of your pieces, they can form a group and travel together. 
• If the other team’s piece lands in a space where your piece is, then your piece has to go back to the start. 

The first team to get their pieces all around the board and back home wins the game!

You can also check out this video from the Gateway Korea Foundation.

Now that you know how to play the traditional Korean game Yut Nori, you can challenge all of your friends and family to a game yourself. 

As the Lunar New Year comes closer, we hope that you have a blast and introduce more people to this fun family game.