Objective
Two teams of two participants equipped with eight heavy balls throw in turns and attempt to place them as close as possible to a much smaller metal ball. The team that reaches a maximum of 20 points in several attempts wins the match.Description
It is played in a court shaped as a large level rectangle, built of flattened earth (typically rich in sand or clay), clear of trees or visible obstacles. The court must keep a 3:2 proportion ratio and its actual dimensions may vary, but an approximate size of is preferred. The court is usually enclosed with logs, wooden boards or concrete slabs. On occasion an internal string perimeter fitted at no more than from the enclosure signals valid gaming ground. The solid balls (roughly diameter, made of synthetic material) are coloured red and green respectively to separate each team. The small steel or iron ball called ''mingo'' has a diameter no greater than and is used as a marker. At the beginning of a match, a previously drawn member of either team throws the ''mingo'' from one established end of the court (called the ''calzador'') to the opposite end. If the ''mingo'' rests in the opposite half of the court, the toss is valid. From then, participants of each team alternatively toss one ball each from the ''calzador'' attempting to make their balls rest as close to the ''mingo'' as possible (or touching it). After all balls have been thrown, a designated judge awards points to the winning team based on their balls' proximity to the ''mingo''. If the match is not ended by a winning score, the whole routine is repeated from the alternate end (for ease, as there is no need to carry the heavy balls back to the original place). A valid toss in ''bolas criollas'' is done with the palm of the hand facing ''downward'' (in opposition toScoring
Points are awarded in the following fashion: the judge identifies the winning colour as the ball that is closest to the ''mingo''. An imaginary circle with the ''mingo'' in the center is drawn, its radius being the center of the first ball of the opposite colour. Any balls of the winning colour that fall within this circle are counted as points. A maximum of eight and minimum of zero (a draw) can be counted by each "set". As measurements can be imprecise and somewhat subjective in loose soil, discussions frequently arise. The judge may require a bit of string (to use as a "ruler") or other tools, and more than one judge may be required for unbiased decisions. When not officially competing, participants may use steps (counting the number of steps placed in front of the other - tip to heel to the ''mingo''), outstretched hands, twigs or whatever means available, giving rise to somewhat hilarious situations.Tricks and moves
Though a simple game, experienced ''bolas criollas'' players display great skill at their throws. Several valid moves and tricks are commonly exploited that completely alter the course of a game. *''Arrime'' - When a player throws a ball in a gentle calculated arc and it lands just beside the ''mingo''. *''Boche'' - A difficult move where a skilled thrower hits the winning ball of an opponent with his own, displacing the opponent's ball and leaving the thrower's team in a winning position. An alternative version of this move is hitting the ''mingo'' itself, thus changing completely the geometry of the game. *''Clavao'' - A ''Boche'' with effect, that leaves the "aggressive" ball in the exact position of the original ball as if "nailed".History
The first report about the arrival of this game to Venezuela mention that Spanish monks brought it with the