Don't let the simple appearance fool you. ABACAN is a fun new strategy game that uses simple rules to provide a depth of strategy that grows with the experience of the players. ABACAN is a variation of the nearly 3000-year-old Chinese mathematical game of Nim. To play, players alternate turns sliding 1,2, or 3 beads on the same bar from one side of the game to the other. The winner is the player who forces their opponent to move the last bead. The rules have been drafted so that there is always a winner, not ties, stalemates, or cat's games. Handcrafted from high-quality hardwoods, ABACAN is pretty enough to be left out on the coffee table or bookshelf to be played on again and again. Great gift item!