Toma Todo - It's almost like Spin the Bottle without taking off your clothes!

Every cultural group has its customs, foods and holidays that are celebrated by families worldwide. Each also has a set of games that you played as a child. You probably learned to play from your parents, grandparents or long lost cousins.

For those of us who are Mexican or Mexican American Toma Todo is one of those games.

It doesn't take much to play, it doesn't cost you but a few pennies and you can play with as few as two people.

So what is Toma Todo? What does Toma Todo mean? Doesn't Toma mean to drink?

Yes the words Toma Todo can literally mean Drink It All. But they also mean Take It All. For this game we'll pass up on the drinking - at least until the kids are gone and then its a whole other set of rules!

A Toma Todo looks like a top. Most are hand-crafted of wood, while others are made of plastic.

The six-sided top is called a Pirinola. Since Toma Todo means take it all that’s exactly what you get to do - take the jackpot.

It can be played with poker chips. When we were little we used to play with a pile of dried pinto beans, but its much more fun playing with money!

Each player places a coin in the center and then takes a turn spinning the pirinola. When it stops you follow the instructions on the top side of the pirinola.

Here’s what each side means:

• Todos ponen - everyone places a coin in the jackpot
• Pon 1 - means you have to place one coin into the pot
• Pon 2 - you have to place two coins
• Toma 1 - take one coin from the pile of money
• Toma 2 - take two means you take twice as many coins
• Toma Todo - means you win the jackpot! You get to Take It All!

If you'd like to buy a Toma Todo for your children or family to enjoy, I have them and other Mexican toys available on my Web site at www.mymercadoimports.com/