Download The Bead Game

The Bead Game: Notes for Facilitators
(Source unknown, obtained through CUSO, and slightly modified by Terry Newcombe,
Oxfam Canada, September 2002)
This game simulates, in a symbolic manner, the subtle rules of a system that is often not
defined publicly, and the isolation of people who live within that system. Participants
will begin to understand that the system not only does not require but in fact directly
opposes co-operation to meet the needs of all. Some players in the system understand all
the rules, other do not have the tools to understand. Some have more resources than
others. Some have less power than others until/unless they discover their power and the
power of collective action. There is no accountability built into the system until/unless
the participants create that.
The facilitators of the game symbolize the strict adherence to law and order that the
system requires.
It should be made clear to participants that they are not playing roles – they should be
themselves, in a simulated situation. It is wise not to give away too much information
about the simulation before you start – simply introduce it as an introduction to global
economic systems, trade, class, … or whatever are the particular issues that you will be
focusing on.
The game is played in groups. Each player will be assigned to a particular group with
group size varying depending on the total number of players.
Groups are as follows (but do not tell participants what each letter stands for):





Group R (rich)
Group U (upper middle class)
Group M (middle class)
Group P (poor)
Group I (isolates) – disabled, children, the old, immigrants…
Each group represents a particular social grouping, symbolized by differing numbers of
red and yellow beads, to indicate control over, and inequitable distribution of, resources.
Some groups have instructions that are more or less clear and complete, symbolizing their
knowledge of how the “system” operates.
Each player will receive an envelope containing: instructions, a bag of beads, and a goal
card. The goal card indicates the sequence of beads that the player is trying to acquire by
the end of the game. Players try to meet their objectives by trading beads with other
players.
Envelopes are numbered and should be handed out in order: if there are 20 players you
will use only envelopes 1 – 20, if there are 25 players you would use envelopes 1- 25,
etc. The letter on the instructions of each envelope indicates the group to which the
player has been assigned. Do not tell players what this letter represents.
PREPARATION:




Read instructions carefully, including copies of participant instructions.
Check that each envelope contains instruction, an objective card, and the correct
number and colour of beads (note: when finished with the game, please re-sort the
beads so that each envelope is once again complete and correct). The number of
starting beads for each colour should also be on the envelope or on the back of the
goal card.
Designate part of the room for each group (except group I) and label it (e.g., by
taping up a sheet of paper with that letter printed on it).
Prepare the discussion questions you will use.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:



Complete envelopes (including beads, goal card, instructions)
A whistle
Several boxes, margarine tubs, or baskets for collecting beads
PLAYING:
Ask participants to gather in corners of the room designated for their letter and await
further instructions. Envelopes should not be opened until players are instructed to do
so. Group I – the isolates – will not be assigned to a corner of the room – they should be
spread out in different parts of the room.
The game is played in rounds. Each round is 3 minutes long and should be carefully
timed. A whistle blow signals the start of the next round. Two whistle blows signals the
end of the game. There are six rounds, but players should not be told how many rounds
there will be.
At the end of each round, the facilitators will collect from each player one red and one
yellow bead. (This collecting should be done quickly, so it helps to have more
facilitators for larger groups.) If a player cannot supply these beads and if no one offers
to help them, they are out of the game and must sit on the sidelines for the duration of
play.
The game must be played in total silence. Players who make any kind of verbal sound
should be penalized (e.g., taking away a red or yellow bead).
After players have been assigned to groups, give then the following instructions and
rules:



No talking, laughter, or other sounds are permitted – the game is played in
absolute silence.
Two whistle blows signals the end of a round. All trading activity will come to a
complete halt when the whistle blows twice. A whistle blow signals the start of
the next round.
The game ends at three blows of the whistle.
Each participant has an envelope containing specific instructions for the task which they
are to accomplish in the game, as well as equipment of that task.
Allow five minutes, in silence, for players to open their envelopes and read their
instructions. Blow the whistle once to start the first round.
The game takes about 30 minutes to play all six rounds; this can be dropped to five
rounds if time is short, but six gives better results. Allow at least 30 minutes for
debriefing and discussion. An in-depth debriefing can take longer. From past
experiences, we have found that the game generates a lot of discussion about
development/trade/globalization issues. The game works best when placed in an openended time slot on the agenda.
DEBRIEFING AND DISCUSSION:
Throughout the debriefing, be sure to encourage the participants to share their feelings
and impressions of the game. Optionally, you could start by taking a few minutes to have
the participants individually write down their feelings and impressions of the game.
Optionally, ask groups to share in the following order: I, P, M, U and finally R. If the
group is large, you may wish to have participants share in their small groups first and
then report back to the group as a whole.
Debriefing Questions (These are sample questions only):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What did you have at the start of the game? How did you feel about that?
Were you able to achieve your goal?
Where did you get the beads you needed? How?
How did you feel about members of your own group? Other groups?
When did you begin to see a pattern in the game?
Did you try to organize your group so you could collectively achieve your goals?
Did you succeed in co-operating with others in the group? With others in other
groups?
7. Was there cheating or stealing? Why?
8. Did anyone give beads away? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions (these are sample questions only):
1. What were some of the unwritten rules that people followed in the game?
2. What does this say about the values that were operating in the game? Were there
conflicting sets of values operating?
3. Which seemed to predominate in the game – co-operation of competition? Why?
Which might have been more effective in helping individuals to survive?
4. What structures or patterns does the game symbolize or represent – in the world?
In Canada? In your own community? (In other words, at the international,
national and local level, who would each of the groups be? Who are the isolates?
And who do the facilitators represent? What do the beads represent? What is
needed for survival?)
5. In “real life”, which group are you in?
6. What might the different bead colours represent? (For example, the red and
yellow beads could represent money with the green and blue representing labour;
alternatively, the red and yellow beads could be seen as the necessities of
survival, with the other beads representing luxuries or natural resources.)
7. How might groups have used their power differently or more effectively to
achieve their objectives? How would you play the game differently the next time?
8. What did you learn about yourself (your values, how you use power, etc.) from
the game?
9. What did you learn about social structures from the game?
PATTERNS OF OBJECTIVES AND RESOURCES FOR EACH GROUP:
Rich: Have an abundance of yellow and red beads – more than they need for the six
rounds and to meet their objectives; enough to trade outside the group. They will need to
exchange some yellows and reds with each other and in some cases with other groups.
Their instructions are the most complete.
Upper Middle Class: Have enough reds and yellows to meet their objectives and their
rounds, but they will need to trade with one another in order to meet their objectives.
They will have an abundance of browns and insufficient numbers of other colours to meet
their objectives. They will need to trade outside their group. Their instructions are
almost complete.
Middle Class: Collectively, they have enough red and yellow beads to meet round needs
but not to meet their objective card needs. They have an abundance of pink to trade for
other colours they need, but not enough browns, greens or blues. Their instructions are
missing some information.
Poor: They have enough red and yellow beads to go through one or at most two rounds.
Some are more desperate than others. Not enough browns or oranges to meet objectives
or to trade for other colours. They have an abundance of blues and greens. Their
instructions are quite incomplete.
Isolates: Depending on the number of participants, there may be isolates from each
class. Some isolates may have large numbers of red and yellow beads or none at all.
Isolates are not typical of any class; they represent the marginalized members of society –
senior citizens, children, immigrants, disabled, etc. Their instructions are jumbled and
unintelligible.
FOLLOW UP:
It is important that the game be followed by some content input – on issues such as class,
global trade, or economic disparities in Canada or internationally, since the game does
not provide content. It merely symbolizes certain values, assumptions, and ways in
which social systems can function.
Group M Instructions
Equipment: In your envelope you will find: a bag with beads of different colours in it.
You will use these beads throughout the game to trade.
Goal Card: This gives you an objective for the game – you must try to have the indicated
beads at the end of the game. You may also try and help others in your group meet their
objectives.
Whistles: The game proceeds by rounds. A single whistle blow indicates the start of a
round. During each round, you may move anywhere in the room and trade beads with
anyone you wish. Two whistle blows indicates the end of a round. Stop trading and sit
in the nearest chair. At the end of each round, a facilitator will bring around a box. You
must put one red and one yellow bead into the box. If you cannot do this and no one else
will help you, the facilitator will take your beads. You must then go to the side of the
room for the duration of the game and watch.
You won't know how many rounds there are. The game ends when you hear three whistle
blows.
Play will consist of trading and redistributing beads as your individual and group
objectives require. There are two levels of objectives in the game – individual and
group. Your aim should be the reaching of all individual objectives.
Group P Instructions
Equipment: In your envelope you will find: a bag with beads of different colours in it.
Goal Card: This gives you an objective for the game – you must try to have the indicated
beads at the end of the game. You may also try and help others in your group meet their
objectives.
Whistles: The game proceeds by rounds. Two whistle blows indicate the end of a
round. Stop and sit in the nearest chair. At the end of each round, a facilitator will bring
around a box. You must put one red and one yellow bead in the box. If you cannot do
this and no one else will help you, the facilitator will take your beads. You are then
“dead”.
The game ends when you hear three whistle blows.
Group R Instructions
Equipment: In your envelope you will find: a bag with beads of different colours in it.
You will use these beads throughout the game to trade.
Goal Card: In your envelope you will also find a list of different coloured beads. This
gives you an objective for the game – you must try to have the indicated beads at the end
of the game. Everyone has a goal and will be trying to meet their objectives by trading
beads. You may also try and help others in your group meet their objectives.
Whistles: The game proceeds by rounds. A single whistle blow indicates the start of a
round. A round is 3 minutes long, during which you may move anywhere in the room
and trade beads with anyone you wish. Two whistles blows means the end of a round.
Stop trading and sit in the nearest chair. At the end of each round, a facilitator will bring
around a box. You must put one red and one yellow bead in the box. If you cannot do
this and no one else will help you, the facilitator will take your beads. You must then go
to the side of the room for the duration of the game and watch. When the whistle blows
once, the trading may begin again.
You will not know how many rounds there are. The game ends when you hear three
whistle blows.
Play will consist of trading and redistributing beads as your individual and group
objectives require. There are two levels of objectives in the game -- individual and
group. Your aim should be the reaching of all individual objectives in your group. Some
beads are in scarce supply and are thus more valuable than others. Red and yellow beads
are the scarcest, and are also the most valuable since they ensure your survival in the
game. Not all participants have the same number or colour of beads as you do, and
objectives are different for each player.
Group U Instructions
Equipment: In your envelope you will find: a bag with beads of different colours in it.
You will use these beads throughout the game to trade.
Goal Card: In your envelope, you will also find a list of different coloured beads. This
gives you an objective for the game – you must try to have the indicated beads at the end
of the game. Everyone have a goal and will be trying to meet their objectives by trading
beads. You may also try and help others in your group meet their objectives.
Whistles: The game proceeds by rounds. A single whistle blow indicates the start of a
round. A round is 3 minutes long, during which you may move anywhere in the room
and trade beads with anyone you wish. Two whistles blows ends a round. Stop trading
and sit in the nearest chair. At the end of each round, a facilitator will bring around a
box. You must put one red and one yellow bead in the box. If you cannot do this and no
one else will help you, the facilitator will take your beads. You must then go to the side
of the room for the duration of the game and watch.
You will not know how many rounds there are. The game ends when you hear three
whistle blows.
Play will consist of trading and redistributing beads as your individual and group
objectives require. There are two levels of objectives in the game -- individual and
group. Your aim should be the reaching of all individual objectives in your group. Not
all participants have the same number or colour of beads as you do, and objectives are
different for each player.
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THE BEAD GAME KEY
Player Group
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
R
R
U
U
U
M
M
M
M
M
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
I
I
I
P
M
U
R
P
M
P
P
M
I
P
M
U
R
I
P
P
M
Objective (Goal Card)
Red
Yel
4
5
4
3
3
4
2
3
2
4
2
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
4
4
3
2
4
6
5
3
2
1
4
4
2
2
3
4
1
2
1
3
5
4
2
3
3
1
3
3
3
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
3
2
3
1
3
1
1
1
5
3
3
4
5
1
1
2
3
Starting Beads
Bwn
Grn
Blue
Pink
Red
Yel
Bwn
Grn
Blue
Pink
3
1
3
2
6
1
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
3
1
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
1
2
1
3
1
2
4
4
2
3
3
2
3
3
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
4
1
3
1
1
2
1
3
2
6
3
1
3
2
1
3
1
4
1
4
2
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
2
1
3
2
3
2
1
2
3
5
3
3
4
1
3
2
3
1
3
3
4
3
1
3
4
4
3
4
4
7
5
3
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
3
4
1
2
1
4
4
2
1
1
5
1
1
2
4
2
1
1
1
2
9
14
10
8
8
9
3
4
7
6
1
2
0
1
2
1
2
3
12
10
1
9
11
14
2
4
1
1
5
10
2
6
8
12
0
1
0
7
17
10
6
9
7
4
6
6
7
8
2
0
1
1
1
1
0
3
4
10
2
4
9
12
0
7
0
1
7
10
1
4
9
14
1
2
0
8
1
2
5
7
9
0
1
1
1
1
4
6
4
8
2
7
3
4
0
5
4
0
5
1
6
1
3
4
0
1
7
1
1
1
4
6
8
1
2
2
0
2
1
1
1
0
4
1
5
5
3
2
8
6
5
5
1
0
2
1
1
2
6
1
8
4
1
2
5
1
2
2
2
7
9
1
1
2
3
3
1
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
0
1
0
2
0
1
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
2
2
1
0
2
5
7
6
8
8
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
5
1
1
5
1
1
0
7
1
3
4
2
0
1
2
0
3
2
2
3
Player Group
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
U
I
P
M
U
R
I
P
P
M
U
R
Objective (Goal Card)
Red
Yel
4
4
3
4
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
5
2
1
1
1
3
4
3
2
2
3
3
3
Starting Beads
Bwn
Grn
Blue
Pink
Red
Yel
Bwn
Grn
Blue
Pink
3
1
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
2
2
4
1
2
1
2
2
6
2
2
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
2
3
1
1
2
2
4
3
1
3
5
5
1
1
1
2
1
4
9
5
1
8
10
10
9
1
2
4
9
9
8
9
0
2
7
15
8
2
2
7
8
15
5
1
1
0
4
1
5
3
6
1
3
0
0
0
9
1
1
1
2
5
3
1
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
1
6
0
5
3
2
1
0
0
3
4
3
Some Notes for Facilitators:

Creating the 50 envelopes and contents is a big project, but it only has to be done
once, and it goes quickly if you have a team of facilitators in a party atmosphere.
Beads can be purchased cheaply at craft stores – be sure to buy extras of each
colour, as players often lose some during play.

There are many formats the envelopes can take. For example, each one can be a
paper 5"x7" envelope with the Starting Beads count and the Goal Card info
written directly on it. Or the 'envelope' can be a 5"x7" ziplock plastic bag with the
Starting Beads count and the Goal Card on separate cards in the bag – the big
advantage of this is that players can see their beads through the bag. (But if using
a ziplock bag, be sure to fold the instructions sheet when placing it in the bag, so
that people can't read the instructions ahead of time.)

The game requires at least 15 for a good play, preferably 20 (to get some
Isolates). The game works best with larger groups (over 30), as this gives a
greater chance of creative players taking initiative (e.g., coordinating group
trading, stealing, ganging up, donating). You can also actively encourage such
behaviour before the game begins, but it is more interesting to just announce that
players can do anything they want during the rounds as long as it doesn't break
any of the given rules.

An earlier version of the game added another complication: Each player had a
stick to place all beads on, and you had to have all beads on your stick at the end
of each round or you would be kicked out of the game. This required people to be
aware of the 3-minute mark coming up. This Oxfam version of the game removed
this aspect to keep the game simpler, but you can add it back if you wish.

After every playing of the game, be sure to have all players hand in their beads,
bead bag, score cards, instructions, and envelopes. We always do this, yet we
always end up with various items missing (as people drop beads, put bags or
instructions in their own notes or pockets, etc.). So part of the clean-up after the
game (or at the next facilitators meeting) is to not just refill the bead bags with
their starting numbers, but also to print off a few new instruction sheets or write
up new instruction cards.

At Oxfam Canada, we'd love to have your feedback on the game, including any
modifications or tips for facilitators. Please send your feedback to
[email protected]. Thanks!