Popsicle sticks

Sharing a childhood game, playable by 2-8 people, or even solo【though it's less fun alone】.

On those hot summer days, leftover popsicle sticks can be repurposed for this game, with rules similar to picking up sticks.

                                             【Gameplay】

1 Preparation: Gather a handful of popsicle sticks, each player starts with 10, and a game of rock-paper-scissors determines the starting player.

2 Scattering Sticks: The winner gathers and neatly organizes the sticks, then holds them vertically in a fist, above the table. They then gently release the sticks, letting them fall onto the table, one atop another.

3 Picking Sticks: Using a remaining stick, players attempt to pick up the topmost stick, claiming any successfully retrieved sticks as their own. They can also gently nudge out any sticks lying underneath that aren't covered by others; successfully removed sticks also belong to the player. If another stick is inadvertently moved, the turn passes to the next player.

4 Victory: Players take turns picking up sticks until all have been removed. The player with the most sticks at the end wins.

【Wondering how many of you played this as kids? Naturally, no need to actually consume the sticks for this version!】