Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — There are concerns that a new Saudi game that is rapidly gaining in popularity is going to push its more traditional competitor out of the Kingdom’s games market.



Sheesh, created by a prisoner in the northern Hail Province, is a game played by four people who each defend a jail.



What makes Sheesh popular is that the materials required to play the game are easily collectable and the rules are easy to understand.



It is popular in the north of the country, but it is believed that it will grab the attention of Saudis and will be high in demand.



However, others believe Baloot, a traditional card game that is considered difficult to play, will always be the number one game in the country.



Sheesh requires basic materials such as canvas, coloring pencils and cans, among others. The prisoner who invented the game was not aware that his invention would become popular in the north.



The reason behind its popularity in this area is that some released prisoners taught the game to their friends and relatives.



They also developed the game’s materials without altering its rules.

A result of Sheesh’s evolution is that each player commonly paints the badge of his favorite football club on the jail that he is defending, increasing the game’s competitiveness.



People who spoke to Saudi Gazette about whether Sheesh would become popular throughout the Kingdom were divided over whether the game would overtake Baloot.



Saudi housewife Amal Mousa said: “The game will easily become popular in the country if a lot of people like it and enjoy playing it, especially young people.



“The Saudi citizens get bored easily and like to change their lifestyle, so if there is a game that is similar to Baloot and they enjoy it, they will play it.”  



Some expatriates believe that Sheesh will compete with Baloot because of its simplicity.



Mohammed Aladin, a Syrian in Jeddah who works for a private company, said: “It might get close to Baloot in terms of popularity as many youths have already started playing it at their gatherings and during work breaks in the north.



“It also has simple rules and anyone can play it, and at the same time it entertains them.”



Because Baloot is considered a part of Saudi culture, some Saudis believe that no game in the market will overtake it.



Saudi Master’s student Abeer Enany said: “It’s a nice idea to have new games but I do not think that it will take the place of the Baloot because it is very old and well known. It’s almost part of the Saudi guys’ culture.”



Ghada Salama, a Saudi woman in the Western Region, said: “People who are addicted to Baloot will not prefer to switch to a new game.



“Several games came out before Sheesh, yet Baloot was the preferred game in the Saudi market.”



Some groups believe that Baloot will win the war against Sheesh, since only a small number of people in the country play the latter.



Salama said: “I do not know anything about the game. It is my first time hearing about it, but for prisoners it is a good idea as they have something to pass the time.”