A Complete Guide on Playing Gonggi Featured in Squid Game Season 2

Squid Game season 2 introduces the intricate game of Gonggi, a minigame that plays a critical role in one of the show’s perilous rounds. For those unfamiliar with it, the game unfolds at a rapid pace, making it challenging to grasp the mechanics. Originating in Korea, just like the series itself, Gonggi is often referred to as Korean Jacks or Seven Stones, despite only requiring five “stones”for play. As one of the five games featured in the second round of the tournament, Gonggi emphasizes hand-eye coordination, patience, and precision.

Participants in Squid Game season 2 come with varied skill sets, leading to strategic team decisions on which players are best suited for each game in the second round. While Gonggi may appear again in a potential season 3, the dramatic finale of season 2 suggests that the next installment might focus on concluding the present tournament rather than initiating a new one from scratch. Regardless of what happens next, Gonggi has successfully reached a broader audience through the Netflix series.

Understanding Gonggi’s Five Rounds: How the Challenge Works in Squid Game

The Complex and Strict Rules of This Korean Childhood Game

Contrary to many viewers, the players in Squid Game season 2 are well-versed in the rules of Gonggi. Each Gonggi game consists of five rounds, using a total of five stones. Originally, actual stones were used; however, colorful plastic versions have become the norm today. The rounds progressively escalate in difficulty, with the primary objective being to gather all five stones with one hand, following a specific sequence.

Gonggi Round 1

The first round of Gonggi starts with the player scattering five stones from one hand onto a flat surface. The player then must pick up one stone at a time, tossing it into the air and catching it with the same hand. This is continued until there are no stones left on the surface, like a table or the floor. Although classified as the easiest round, the challenge lies in making each catch without dropping the accumulating stones in hand or disturbing the remaining ones.

Gonggi Round 2

This round begins similarly to the first, with the scattering of stones. The mechanics change slightly: the player must throw one stone in the air and catch it with the same hand. Then, while holding the caught stone, the player scoops up two more stones and catches the thrown one. If done correctly, only two stones will remain on the ground for the next step, where the player will repeat the process with three stones in hand.

Gonggi Round 3

The complexity amplifies in Round 3. The player begins by throwing one stone in the air and catching it once again, just as in the previous rounds. Next, they must throw their already palmed stone in the air, scoop up three more, and then catch the stone that was tossed up. The final step requires the player to throw a stone from their hand, collect the last stone on the ground, and catch the one thrown.

Gonggi Round 4

Unlike the previous rounds, the fourth round starts with all five stones already held. Here, the player throws one stone in the air, places the remaining four on the ground, and catches the stone launched. To complete the round, they throw the stone back up, scoop up the four stones from the ground, and once again catch the thrown stone. Players must ensure the stones are grouped closely together at the outset, but they cannot adjust them afterward without breaking the rules.

Gonggi Round 5 (The Final Round)

While the first four rounds don’t yield points, the fifth round is where scoring occurs, contingent on flawless execution of the preceding rounds. Starting with all five stones in hand, players must throw up all stones and catch them on the back of the same hand, marking a crucial step towards success.

To continue, players must catch all five stones; failure leads to disqualification from scoring. The ultimate challenge in this round involves throwing the stones from the back of the hand and catching them again in the palm, with common scoring systems requiring that all stones be captured to earn points. Successfully completing the five rounds consecutively allows players to accumulate a total of five points.

Common Pitfalls in Gonggi

Automatic Failures Due to Mistakes in Gonggi

Gi-hun's team playing Gonggi in Squid Game

The strict gameplay rules of Gonggi entail numerous ways for a player to fail throughout the game. One common mistake is failing to retrieve all necessary stones for completing a round, as there are no second chances. Players may also err by touching stones not intended for pickup or by missing a catch of the thrown stone.

Particularly in the fifth round, the rules become even more unforgiving. To catch the five stones on the back of the hand, players cannot rotate their hand to a palm-up position; it must remain palms-down throughout the entire catching process.

If any mistakes occur during play, the stones are passed to the next player, who must start anew in their attempt to complete the round successfully.

The Perfect Match: Why Gonggi Suits Squid Game

The Innocence of Gonggi Contrasts with Squid Game’s Dark Themes

Masked Guards killing players in Squid Game

A significant contributor to the dark tone of Squid Game is the startling juxtaposition of innocent childhood games played in life-threatening scenarios. The childlike simplicity of the games enhances the horror of the deadly context in which the players find themselves. While not every childhood game fits into this lethal setting, Gonggi aligns perfectly.

Although Gonggi may seem straightforward for those familiar with it, it presents quite a challenge to execute flawlessly, particularly under immense pressure. The stakes escalate considerably when the threat of violence looms, heightening the need for accuracy and composure, which can be a daunting combination when facing life-or-death situations.

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