Two intense games of Patolli

Two intense games of Patolli 

As I was walking through the streets of Tenochtitlan and just roaming around. Admiring the beauty and the exceptional pyramids and palaces of this City. Amazed at how creative some people were and feeling pity for the servants and slaves. I hear the chattering of people and the scent of spices fill up my nose. I could see warriors heading of to war, or what looks like they were heading off to war. I saw market stalls and even children playing games. I turned my attention to two little children beside me. 

Child 1: Stop Cheating!!!

Child 2: What do you mean?? I'm not cheating! It's not my fault I'm better at this game than you! 

Child 1: No! I'm better than you!!!! You see! Ok I bet my favourite blanket!! 

Child 2: I bet this maze and this stone given to me by my mum!! 

I was astonished to realize that they would bet anything for this game. I soon learned that they were playing Patolli, a gambling game where people would bet their most prized possessions to meet and examine the items each other had available to gamble. Every time a player got one of their pieces off the board successfully, their opponent had to give them an item. Now that I understood how it works, I really was eager to try playing the game too! I mean, these kind of stuff aren't in New Zealand. After a while, I started roaming around again. As I was walking past the palace, I saw two nobles playing the Patolli game as well. I slowly walked past, pretending I wasn't eavesdropping when I actually was. 

Noble 1: Ha!! Now hand over the Jade necklace! 

Noble 2: Ugh! Here take it! 

Noble 1: Anyways, I bet this season's crops! 

Noble 3: what!! you can't do that! That's too risky! There's a chance that Noble 2 could take all our seasons crops!

Noble 1: Yes I can, this game is about either losing items or keeping everything! It's gambling, you know?

Noble 3: I guess so.

Noble 2: I bet the whole entire livestock!! *whispers to self: I hope i dont lose anything*

Noble 1: that's so little! Bet more!

Noble 2: the whole livestock, you know!!! Like, the turkeys, ducks, the deer and the fish and more!! *whispers to self: Noble 1 is so rude!*

Noble 1: Ok sure sure!

Noble 3: Looks like Noble 1 is gonna win!

Noble 2: NO! I CANT LET THAT HAPPEN! *whispers to self: I'm gonna lose everything!*

*Noble 2 tries to run away but fails*

Noble 1: Haha! I win! I got all my pieces off the board see!!

Noble 2: Noooo! Ugh ok!

Noble 3: ok guys! Pack it up! Good game! 

So they weren't gambling for money but rather for crops, freedom, jewellery! So different to nowadays when people gamble for large sums of money!

The Aztecs playing Patolli

The Patolli Board

Commoners playing the Patolli game!