Clipper is one of the tougher games from Minute to Win It. Using ping pong balls and an angled surface, you'll be attempting to get the balls resting between the metal arms of office binder clips. This one is tricky to explain, but we'll do our best.
The Goal
Minute to Win It likens this game to pinball, but that might be a bit of a stretch. Basically, you're using obstacles on a table to guide rolled ping pong balls to their destinations.
Equipment Needed
- One table, about eight feet in length and not too heavy
- Four reams of paper, or two objects that can lift one end of the table (one under each leg) about 4.5 inches
- Six large binder clips
- Poster putty or other medium, to be used to affix the clips to the table
- Ping pong balls in a basket
- Masking tape to mark a foul line on the floor
How to Play
Before you can play Clipper you'll need to set up the table. Place two reams of paper (or whatever objects you're using to tilt it) under two table legs at one of the narrow ends of the table. This is the end that you'll be playing from, so the slant will go downwards. Next, affix the binder clips with poster putty (poster putty won't ruin the finish of the table, but you can use just about any adhesive). The clips go in a pyramid shape - place one clip with the metal arms facing away from you first, followed by two more (also with clips facing away), followed by the final three with the clips facing you. The spacing isn't specified, so play around with it to find the right setup for you.
Place the basket of ping pong balls so it's easily accessible for the player - you can use a small table to rest it on if necessary. Finally, mark a foul line on the floor with the masking tape, one foot away from the table where players will stand.
To play, start the one minute timer. Contestants then start rolling the balls, one at a time, down the table in an attempt to get one ball resting in each one of the last three clips. Since the clips are facing you, the balls should rest there easily. At the end of the minute, you need to have one ball in each clip to win.
The Rules
As always, there are some rules to keep in mind for this game.
- Players must stand behind the foul line at all times
- Balls must be released one at a time
- You must roll the balls - do not toss or bounce them
Tips and Tricks
If you roll the ball gently and try to use the obstacle clips as guides, you should be able to get a feel for where the ball will end up. Take your time - even though you only have a minute to succeed, hurrying will cause you to lose focus. This is a game that everyone should get a practice round at before any competitions begin.
The blueprint with video instructions for this game can be found at NBC.com - the illustration of how things are set up can be extremely helpful for games like this one.
Variations
You can easily turn Clipper into a Christmas-themed game by covering the table with wrapping paper or a plastic patterned table cloth before adding the clips. Just make sure that the covering is secure before you play. This would also work for other holiday themes, such as birthdays, Halloween, or even Valentine's Day.
To make the game simpler for younger children, omit the three "obstacle" binder clips and place the three "catcher" clips a little closer. You could also remove the foul line altogether.
