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Talk to ghosts through this classic ‘spirit affect me’ game
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Spirit of the Coin is a fun, spooky game to be played with a group of friends whenever you’re looking to up the ante on sleepover scaries. Similar to the Ouija board, the Spirit of the Coin game uses a talking board to contact spirits and communicate with them. You just need a coin, a piece of paper, and a pen…then you’re ready to turn out the lights and talk to the dead. Just remember not to upset the spirits! 👻

Coined Spirit Game: Rules Overview

Create the board by writing A-Z and 0-9 along the border of a piece of paper. Write START, YES, NO, and END in the center. Place a coin on start, and have 2-3 players gingerly place their pointer fingers on the coin. Ask a spirit to come, then ask them questions and watch as the coin moves to spell out their answers.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Play the Coined Spirit Game

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  1. To make your gameboard, choose a large, white sheet of paper that’s no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches (220 mm × 280 mm). Starting at one corner, write the letters A-Z (in order) along the edge of three sides of the paper. On the fourth edge, write the numbers 0-9. [1]
    • Writing the alphabet will allow the spirit to spell out answers to your question. Some questions may require a numerical answer (like how old the spirit is or when they were alive), which is why it’s also important to include the numbers.
  2. In the middle of your paper, write simple words like “START,” “END,” “YES,” and “NO” in large writing. These words can be used by the spirit to provide quick answers to simple questions—it’s always faster to ask a yes-or-no question than one that requires more explanation. [2]
    • The “START” and “END” options can also be used to begin or end the game, as will be explained in further steps.
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  3. Play the game in a dark room or in an open, outdoor area at night. Most often this game is played at night as spirits are said to be more active late in the day. Light the space with a dim light or candle to set the scene for the spirits and make them feel more comfortable. [3]
  4. Sit 3-4 players in a circle around your game board. Place your coin on “START” and have each player gently place a pointer finger on the coin. Remind players not to apply any pressure to the coin or attempt to move or push it. Have each player close their eyes and concentrate on mentally inviting the spirits into the game. [4]
  5. Any player from the group can begin the game with the words “Spirit, come.” Have them continue to say this phrase until the coin begins to move across the board. If there’s a specific spirit your group would like to call, you can replace the word “spirit” with their name—however, keep in mind that there’s no guarantee of that particular spirit being summoned.
  6. 6
    Ask the spirit a yes-or-no question and wait for the coin to move. Now that a spirit has been called and indicated a presence on your board, question it further by saying something like “Are you here?” Keep repeating this question until the coin moves onto the “YES” space, which may take awhile. Once the coin moves, however, it’s confirmed that the spirit is with you. [5]
  7. Ask questions out loud to the spirit and watch as the coin moves to spell out the answer. These answers may be spelled out very quickly—you may want to designate a player whose role is to write down the answers instead of touching the coin. [6]
    • Remain respectful of the spirits and thank them for talking to you.
    • Don’t automatically believe the board. Spirits are not always going to speak the truth.
  8. You need to let the spirits know the session is over and it is time to go. Be sure to remove the coin from the paper and put the paper away—or safely burn it . You don’t want to risk letting the spirits escape.
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Section 2 of 3:

The Origins of the Spirit Coin Game

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  1. Some people believe that the Spirit Coin game is derived from Kokkuri-san. Kokkuri-san is a Japanese game similar to the Ouija board that was said to be originally played with sets of round rice containers (today, it’s more often played with coins). To play the original game, participants would stack up three sets of round rice containers. According to some sources, players would then place their hands on the top of the stack and determine the spirits’ answers to their questions based on how the stack would lean. [7]
    • The leaning of the tower was referred to as kokkuri, kokkuri to katamuku (“Leaning, they’re leaning”).
    • This game is also known by other names, including “Cupid-san,” “Kirakira-sama,” “Angel-sama” and “Guardian Spirit.”
Section 3 of 3:

More Scary Games to Play with Friends

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  1. Once you’ve communed with enough spirits via the coined spirit game, check out some other games to keep the creepy vibes coming! Below, you can find more games and activities to test the bravery of you and your friends…and maybe make a few new paranormal friends along the way:
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Are you able to play this game alone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but it is not recommended. Also, I point out that it is less likely to work if you are by yourself since spirits are using your subconscious to move the coin. It is better for you to play with a friend.
  • Question
    Are the predictions in the game true?
    Community Answer
    Maybe, but you shouldn't take them too seriously. Not all spirits tell the truth.
  • Question
    Is the spirit game real or fake?
    Community Answer
    It is as real as you believe it is.
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      Tips

      • Many believe that the coined spirit game and others like it work by the ideomotor effect, rather than by spiritual intervention. This effect is an involuntary physical movement that happens when someone tries not to move. [8] Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to be cautious about this game and similar matters that claim to be "other-worldly."
      • Maintain control of the session. If there are answers you don’t like, you can always say "goodbye" or "end" and close the board.

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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You are the person in charge. If you get scared, you can always move the coin to "Goodbye" or "End."
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      Warnings

      • It’s not advised to play this spirit game alone. There’s strength in numbers, and contacting spirits alone may leave you very vulnerable.
      • Do not ask for physical signs of a spirit presence. You don’t want your spirit to start interfering in the physical world!
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to play a coined spirit game, do so at night and with the lights off so the spirits are more active. You should light just enough candles for you to be able to see. Then, all the players should sit in a circle around the board and gently rest one finger on the coin. Now that the board is ready, invite the spirits by asking a yes or no question and waiting for them to respond, which may take a few minutes. Keep reading to learn how to make the board.

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      • Zareen Tasnim

        Jun 6, 2016

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