Batu Seremban

History: Batu Seremban (Buh-too Say-ram-bun) is a traditional game played in Malaysia. Famous in the Central, Southern and Northern regions. It is usually played on the floor amongst girls. Traditionally, round stones were used to play Batu Seremban. It can be played with 5 or 7 stones, and is also known as Batu Selambut (Buh-too Say-lump-bot). 

It is usually played by a group of 2 to 5 players. 

How to Play:

• 5 Beans: Commonly played in the Central and Southern region of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor). 
  • Players will start by throwing all 5 beans on the floor.
  • For the first round, start by picking up 1 bean, and with the same hand, throw it in the air whilst picking up another bean. You must also catch the bean you’ve thrown – this process remains throughout the game. If at any point during your turn you fail to pick up the correct number of beans, or you fail to catch the bean you have thrown, your turn ends and you gain 0 points.
  • Continue collecting all the beans in the same hand, throwing & catching 1 bean whilst picking up another, until all beans have been caught.
  • For the second round, pick up 1 bean. Throw and catch this bean, but players must now pick up 2 beans at a time.
  • For the third round, pick up 1 bean to throw and catch. Players now must first pick up 1 bean, and then all 3.
  • For the fourth round, pick up 1 bean, and throw and catch it whilst picking up the remaining 4 beans in one go.
  • When all 4 rounds have been completed and a player is holding all 5 beans, they must throw all the beans in the air and attempt to catch as many as possible on the back of their hand. Then, the player will throw any beans from the back of their hand and attempt to catch them again in their palm. The number of beans caught this way determines your score for the round – 1 bean gives 2 points.
  • Each player’s turn continues and repeats, accumulating points, until they fail to pick up the beans/fail to catch their bean.

• 7 Beans: Commonly played in the Northern region of Malaysia (Langkawi Island, Kedah and Perlis). 
  • Players start by throwing all 7 beans on the floor. 
  • One hand will be used to pick up/throw the beans, whilst the other can be used to hold any beans you have already picked up. 
  • You will then take 1 bean and throw it in the air whilst picking up another bean. You must also catch the bean you have thrown. If at any point a player fails to catch the bean or pick up the correct number of beans, their turn ends and they receive 0 points.
  • Next, the player must throw 1 bean from their hand whilst picking up 2 beans, and then repeat this to pick up the last 3 beans. 
  • Throughout the game, players must only touch the beans they are picking up – if they touch any others, their turn ends and they receive 0 points. 
  • Once all beans have been caught, the player will collect them in one hand, throw them, and attempt to catch as many as possible on the back of their hand. Next, they will throw any beans on the back of their hand and attempt to catch them again in their palm to determine their points for the round. 1 bean gives 2 points.
  • Each player’s turn continues and repeats, accumulating points, until they fail to pick up the beans/fail to catch their bean.

Levels (7 bean variation):

Every 100 points, a player will move on to the next level, each with slightly different rules. 

• Level 1: Start with catching 1,2,3 beans, gaining points after catching the beans from the back of their hand. (Right hand)
• Level 2: Once a player reaches 100 points, they will proceed to level 2 – similar to level 1, but they must now throw/catch with their left hand. Start with catching 1,2,3 beans, gaining points after catching the beans from the back of their hand. (Left hand) 
• Level 3: Once a player reaches 200 points, they will proceed to level 3. Now, they start by catching 3,2,1 beans, gaining points accordingly. (Right hand)
• Level 4: Congratulations! You are now at the final stage! Upon gaining 300 points, the player will reach the final level. Beans are picked up 1,2,3, however they must now use the right hand to throw and pick up, but the left hand to catch, requiring full attention and focus.

The first player to reach 400 points WINS!!! 

Still confused? Check out our video: _______________________________________

What’s so special about us?

Max. number of 7 beans are played in the Northern part of Malaysia so we have decided to include an additional bean in case any get broken or lost.