ORIGINALITY (E)

Let's face it....

...if we are talking about the originality of the game then we have to go way back in time to the sixth century BC where in India the game 'Pachisi' quickly grew into a national board game.

People played and gambled with shells and pebbles.
The game was played counter-clockwise.
We honor that, 4JACKS is also played counterclockwise.
The name, Pachisi, is derived from the Hindi-word for 'twenty-five' (pachis). Twenty-five is the highest number that could be thrown.
Therefore the highest number of points in the JackPot is twenty-five as well as the maximum number of penalty-points (5x5) in the Startingplaces.

Anyway, there are many variants in the present but also in the (distant) past.

In 1914, the successful
'Mensch-erger-dich-nicht' game
was invented by the German
Joseph Friedrich Smit.
One side game board, 4x4=16 pawns and 2 dices. 4 players, clockwise.
Original?
The underlying structure is clearly that of Pachisi. But cleverly found, who doesn't know it?

It was 1934 when Jumbo launched the 'Mens-erger-je-niet' in the Netherlands.
Identical to the German edition, board, pawns and dices.
Nothing changed.

If you are a Keezen player then 4JACKS is a truly spectacular discovery.

This is the Keez board with which the Keez Tournament is held every year in March at holiday park "de Krim" on Texel, Holland.

A good idea comes when the dice are replaced by a normal set of 52 playing cards.
Cards are each given a different value that determine the pawns' moves.

The credits for this idea go to the inventors of the Keezen Spel, published by Clown Games.

In the Netherlands it is claimed that the game has its origins in Akersloot in the North of Holland.
There is even an NKK (Dutch Championship Keezen) held every year.

Forms of the Keezenspel and Mens-erger-je-niet occur worldwide, there are Canadian, American and German variants known under names such as Ludo, Dog, Tock etc.

The principle however, the basis, remains Pachisi!

But make no mistake, for 2025 the event is completely sold out, the eventhall is full.

Jumbo also comes with a Mens-erger-je-niet/Keezen variant where the shape of the double-size printed board only makes it possible for 4 or 6 players.
Due to disappointing success, it dies a silent death and the game disappears a number of years later from the range.

Mind you! Little thought was given to add a twist to the game and with six players you had to wait a very long time for your turn...

A quick Google search reveals a wide range of all kinds of versions.

High time for a brand new and unique successor
to Mens-erger-je-niet and the Keezen game

From Carré13 to 4Jacks

Carré13 (1994) / 10.000 ex.

30x Recycled into 4JACKS

With a playable version already available for quite some time,
with 30 copies in circulation.
A trial round enthusiastically played by family, friends,
and even strangers who became friends, and provided
an objective and positive review.

That the game turns out to be addictive is a little something :-)