Previously: Kurokami-sama.
Note: Please don’t copy/paste or republish the text of this post on other websites without permission.
Information about the paranormal game known as the Martha Game is scarce on the English-language internet; the only version of it I’ve been able to find was posted to r/ThreeKings in 2012. I’ve found a few mentions of it on the Spanish-language internet that date back a few years further, though: In its original language, it’s called La Martita, or else described as “Martita diabolico juego” (“the Martita devil game”), for which searches yield a bit more. And if you broaden the search out even further, you’ll find more yet. Sometimes, you see, there isn’t even any mention of Martha or Martita at all. Sometimes, it’s just called El Juego De Los Lapices — the Game of Pencils.
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According to most sources, the version of the game pegged to the name Martha/Martita was popular in El Salvador in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. News reports from later years show it spreading, though — for example, by 2012, it had hit Honduras. It bears some resemblance to Charlie, Charlie in that it uses pencils as a form of divination, although the method used in the Game of Pencils is a bit different; in many ways, it’s structured more like Sara Sarita. The Game of Pencils may be played with more than one player, although Martha/Martita seems to prefer it if you cap your numbers off at two.
As is the case with Charlie, Charlie, it’s not clear exactly who the titular entity of the Martha Game is. Maybe it doesn’t matter, though. After all, according to a number of sources, hers isn’t the only name to have been attached to the Game of Pencils over the years: Others include Miguelito, Pedro, and Fred or Freddy. Sometimes, the entity is entirely nameless.
Whether that means that “Martha” can change her identity at will — perhaps in order to best suit whatever she hopes to get out of a particular interaction — remains to be seen.
As always, play at your own risk.
Players:
- Two principals.
Requirements:
- Six writing implements, all of approximately the same length. Wooden pencils are recommended.
- Questions —anything to which you want to know the answer. These questions must be yes or no questions.
Instructions:
The Invitation
- Begin at any time.
- Have both principals sit or stand opposite each other. Get comfortable; you might be here for a while.
- Have both principals take up three pencils each and hold the pencils loosely in both hands such that they form a U-shape: The pencil forming the bottom of the U should be nearest the principals’ bodies, running parallel with their torsos, while the pencils forming the sides of the U should be perpendicular to their torsos, pointing outwards and away from their bodies. Both players’ U shapes should meet in the middle, combining to form a rectangle. This image may be referenced for details.
- Repeat aloud, three times in unison, the words, “Martita quieres jugar conmigo?” (“Martha, do you want to play with me?”)
- Watch the pencils that form the sides of each U.
- If the pencils close their points to form two triangles: Permission has been granted: Yes, Martita wants to play with you. You may proceed to The Conversation.
- If the pencils do not move: The ritual has failed: No, Martita does not want to play with you. Do not proceed. Pack away your pencils and disband. You may try again another time.
- If one set of pencils forms a triangle, but the other does not move: Proceed, but with caution. It is recommended that both principals ask Martita if she wants to play again. If you receive either of the previously noted responses, continue accordingly. If you continue to receive the same response — one triangle, one open U — apologize to Martita for being a nuisance, put the pencils away, and try again another time.
The Conversation:
- Once Martita has agreed to play, you may begin asking your questions. Ask ONLY yes or no questions. It is recommended that you preface each question with “Martita dinos ‘Si’ o ‘No’ (“Martha, tell us ‘Yes’ or ‘No’”). Take turns, one at a time, speaking your questions aloud, clearly and succinctly.
- After each question, watch the pencils.
- If the pencils close their points to form two triangles: The answer to your question is “Yes.”
- If the pencils open their points to form two U shapes: The answer to your question is “No.”
- If one set of pencils form a triangle, while the other forms a U: The answer to your question is “Maybe.”
- When you have finished asking your questions, proceed to The Farewell.
The Farewell:
- To exit the game, repeat aloud, three times in unison, the words, “Martita podemos salir?” (“Martha, may we leave?”)
- If the pencils close their points to form two triangles: You have received permission to leave the game.
- If the pencils open their points to form two U shapes: You have NOT received permission to leave the game. Ask again.
- If one set of pencils form a triangle, while the other forms a U: Only one principal has received permission to leave the game. Ask again until both principals receive permission.
- Do NOT exit the game until both principals have received permission to do so.
- Once permission has been granted, thank Martita for her time and pack your pencils away.
- Keep the pencils somewhere safe — although you might want to avoid using them for their intended purpose from here on out.
- And DEFINITELY don’t sharpen them.
Additional Notes:
It is unknown whether this game may be performed in languages other than Spanish. Should you attempt to perform it in another language, make sure your translations of The Invitation and The Farewell are accurate.
Bystanders are permissible, although they should remain as quiet and inobtrusive as possible while observing the game. Do NOT allow bystanders to ask any questions of Martita.
A single-player version of this game may also be played. The single-player version is nearly identical to the two-player version: If the participant’s pencils form a triangle, the answer to their question is “Yes,” while if they form a U, the answer is “No.” However, it is unknown how a “Maybe” answer is communicated during this version.
An alternative two-player version of this game may also be played. To perform this version:
- Gather, along with your other supplies, a standard-sized sheet of paper.
- Orient it landscape-wise and write “Si” (“Yes”) on both the left and right sides of the paper. Then write “No” in the middle.
- Continuing to orient the piece of paper landscape-wise, position it between the two principals. When the principals form their pencils into U shapes, the pencils should form a rectangle with the word “No” at its center.
- As you ask your questions, the pencils will either angle inward to point to the word “No” or angle outward to point to the two “Sis.” These positions indicate the answers to your questions.
A Word Of Warning:
Martita may not always tell the truth.
Martita may not be what she seems.
“Martita” may not even exist at all.
Tread carefully.
Seeing isn’t always believing.
***
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***
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[Photo via habunman/Pixabay]
I love your Most Dangerous Games posts [though I probably will never actually play them] and am planning on looking at your other posts once I run out. And since my family is mostly mexican I like reading posts like these.[ sorry if I misunderstood anything or if my spelling is terrible but I have no excuse]
Wow, this seems fun. We can play this at school with my friends!!
I’m from the border (Yuma, AZ) and clearly remember playing this game. Only we called it “Charlie” and the entire gym class played it in the lockers while we were on Lockdown.
We all asked questions that later on came real, however, we got creeped out when a gal “mocked” the spirit and the showers turned on.
It’s very important that respect is given at all times.
What will happen if one or both principals accidentaly drop the pencils?
i see you are in Japan right now (yay!) so i know it’ll be awhile until you get the chance to check this. but i just wanted to say i’ve spent the last two days binging the articles on this site. i’ve especially taken a liking to the games area!
i was rather structured in my viewing at first, then i just pressed “next page” on the games section and only clicked on the titles that drew my attention. i had a big draw towards the information gathering games. i deviated a bit, but those are the ones i seemed to click on most.
anyways, i thought to comment here because on my first night of binging i had this odd dream that seemed to be an amalgamation of the love me game, the midnight man, and the other world games. and i wanted to share it here.
there’s many parts of the dream but these are the most relevant:
1. i had my ipad opened to a secret page on one of my favorite artist’s website. i’m not 100% sure, this part seems kinda blurry, but i think there was a song playing in the background of the page. one of those embedded songs you can’t turn off.
2. i was in this house. but suddenly i was transported to a low light labyrinth, the details of which i can’t recall. [note: i mean labyrinth as in the unicursal labyrinth, not the labyrinth that’s used interchangeably with maze] someone else was transported there with me.
3. though i never saw the other person that was brought to this place, though we never shared a place in the path, i knew who the person was. i knew him intimately. in real life i have feelings for this person, however i’ve never fully understood those feelings, so i think this is the “love me” game part. instead of trying to find out if they love you, i was trying to find out if i loved him. the following details will explain this impression.
4. i sensed the presence of another, malevolent entity. i sensed danger abound, but i wasn’t the one in danger. the other person was.
5. when i was transported to this place i suddenly became in possession of a powerful blade. i don’t know what kind of blade it was – it was a sword but i never caught the details. it was a powerful sword that could destroy ANYTHING.
6. at one point i got the urge to turn around and swipe the blade. the lights flickered off and the only thing i could see was a giant gingerbread man that i had just split in half. don’t be fooled that it was a confection, this happy gingerbread man was extremely dangerous.
7. and much to my horror indestructible as the two halves just grew into two smaller gingerbread men.
8. they asked me if i was willing to sacrifice myself to spare him. i responded by dropping the blade.
9. i was transported back to the house i came from when i was visiting the secret page, save for one difference: there was a golden hall and a woman in the house that only i had been aware of. apparently this outcome meant i had given the right answer.
one detail i’m not 100% sure on, i THINK before the gingerbread men asked me the question they said something along the lines of “well we know you’re willing to kill to protect him” but i don’t know if that part was actually in the dream or my author mind filled it in after waking because it just seemed to make sense.
i wonder what kind of game that could make and what the rules would be.
Oh, I’m from Argentina, and I remember “playing” something very similar a long time ago! In fact it was in 1999 or 2000, I think, for I was in primmary school and some mates there came along with that. But it was just called “El juego del lápiz” (pencil´s game; in singular). This was performed by saying three times “Espíritu, espíritu… ¿hay un espirítu aquí?” (Spirit, spirit. Is there a spirit here?) and the only goal was to see the pencils move. Nothing more than that. Seems simple but being an 8 or 9 years old child could make you get very scared.
On the other hand, you put this translation for Martita’s devil game: “Martita diabólico juego”. Well… that just sounds weird. A correct translation in Spanish would be “El juego diabólico de Martita”. I don’t want to sound arrogant or mean, though. It was just a commentary.
Wait, so what happens if we DO sharpen the pencils? Please tell me, suspension is scarier than these stories.
Oh wow that’s cool! Just found your website. I love to read these games but am too scared to ever play them!
So what would happen if one were to sharpen the pencils?
Hi! I really like your posts. I would do this, but I can’t find anyone to do it with.
When you say definitely do not sharpen the pencils, does that apply to before the game too?? Meaning do you have to play with unsharpened pencils or can they have been used prior to starting the game??
I feel like you can use sharpened pencils, as it doesn’t specify to use unsharpened pencils in the beginning, just to not sharpen them after the game.
I looooooved playing Martita at school with my friends. I grew up in El Salvador and its honestly one of my favourite games to play.
what will happen when you sharpen the pencil? if we sharpen it, is it game over? I mean.. die?
So in the end, if we sharpen the pencils, will they stab me? Looks like it. Well great game though. Keep it up Lucia!
This is really confusing, is it Martha or Martita?
It seems there is two name here.
Same name, different languages — in Spanish (and a number of other languages), the name “Martha” is “Marta”; meanwhile, the diminutive form of “Marta” in Spanish is “Martita.”