Wink ( game ) Wink is a game generally played by high-school and college-aged people . History Wink was originally played by groups of Young Quakers in the 1800 's . In the original version , a group of women would sit in chairs , arranged in a circle , with a young man standing behind each one . In this version of the game , which was something like musical chairs , a man without a partner ( the `` wink '' ) would get one of the women 's attention by winking at her , whereupon she would stand up and walk over to his chair . If the man behind her succeeded in putting his hands upon her shoulders before she stood up , she had to remain where she was . Modern Wink Today , the game has been modified substantially from its early origins . There are several variations on the style of play and the rules . In the most widely played version of the game an odd number of players of any gender ( though preferably all acquainted with one another ) arranges themselves in almost the same fashion as in the original game . Each pair of players sits one behind the other on the floor in a semicircle , with the Wink cross-legged in the center . The Wink makes some sort of `` call '' , announcing a characteristic that some number of players might have , for example `` anyone wearing red '' or `` anyone who prefers chocolate to vanilla ice cream '' , or the Wink may call the names of another player . The Wink may also wink at one or more individuals , similar to the original version of the game . Then , anyone in the front row to whom that applies attempts to be the first to make their way to the middle of the circle and kiss the Wink on the cheek . While they are doing this , their partner attempts to restrain them . In the interest of safety shoes , watches , jewelry and other objects are removed before gameplay . There are a few rules . Everyone must begin each round with their buttocks on the floor . No pulling of hair or clothing . If someone says `` ouch '' , keep playing . If someone says `` stop '' , everyone stops ! When the Wink shouts `` over ! `` it means someone has won . No one may place any weight on the soles of their feet When someone finally manages to kiss the Wink , his or her partner becomes the new Wink , and the Wink becomes the winner 's partner for the next round . After each round in which one partner goes forward , the partners switch places . Wink is played primarily by Young Quakers , Unitarian Universalists , Talent Identification Program campers , and some Swarthmore College students . In Britain , the game is known as Ratchet Screwdriver , although the rules are sometimes slightly different . Anarchists in the United States call the game Combat Kissing . Among Young Friends ( Quakers ) in the Northeast United States , it is known as `` Kissing Rugby '' . Variations There is no `` official '' set of rules , although most groups defend theirs as the one true way to play the game . A slightly older version than the one described above ( retaining the original winking signal but the modern physical mode of play ) may be found in the New Games Book . Some other variations include : The wink is often known as the winker . Instead of yelling `` Over ! `` the winker yells `` Smooch ! `` A player may win by kissing the winker anywhere on the head or neck . Other groups will not require the kiss to be on the face , but rather on any part of the winker the players can reach ( both of these variations are common in groups where the boys are not comfortable kissing other boys ) . The winker points or winks at the front partner instead of calling out characteristics . The back partner is not allowed to look at the winker until after their partner moves . Instead of sitting in the middle of the circle , the winker sits in the circle with everyone else . In this variation , the partners to either side of the winker have a significant advantage . There are several ways to address this problem : Have the partners on either side of the winker sit out . Have the back partners on either side of the winker sit out . The front partners become `` Guardians '' , `` Guardian Angels '' , or `` Demigods '' . Their job is to try to stop ANYONE from kissing the winker . In particularly large or rough groups , the back partners can also join in the fray . Be warned that four demigods , particularly in groups of less than fifty , can lead to VERY long rounds . Put a marker of some sort in the middle of the circle , often a shoe or a piece of tape . A player must touch the marker before they are allowed to kiss the winker . Players sit in two concentric circles—one of guys and one of girls . Guys sit on the outside and are paired up with a girl , with an extra guy in the middle . If the Wink calls `` bread basket '' anyone may try and kiss the Wink ( excluding the two directly next to him/her ) . Instead of sitting in any sort of circle , the pairs may sit on one side of mats in a straight line while the Winker sits on the opposite side about 10–20 feet away ( depending on the amount/size of mats you have . ) External links Young Friends website with game rules A description of the rules for an alternate version of Wink Categories : Kissing games | Quakerism 