How to Make an Achi Game Board

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Download and print the pattern for the felt game board. (The felt templates can also be used with paper or cardstock.)

Felt or Paper Pattern

Felt Templates

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Cut

Cut a 6" square from the lighter felt (or paper). Cut the darker piece of felt (or paper) into a 9" square and four 2.25" squares. Cut each of the four 2.25" squares in half on the diagonal.

As an aid in cutting, you can pin the pattern templates to the felt, or use a ruler and pencil or chalk to measure and mark the squares.

Step 3: Mark Lines (optional)

Using the printed pattern as a guide, draw four lines on the 6" square of lighter felt with the black permanent fabric marker. Draw two diagonal lines, corner to corner, and horizontal and vertical lines that go through the point where the diagonal lines cross.

The game lines are optional, but without them, placing the triangles accurately will be more difficult.

Step 4: Sew Triangles

Pin the felt triangles to the 6" felt square. Center each piece in a triangle created by the drawn lines.

Using 3 strands of embroidery floss, sew each felt triangle in place with a running stitch about ¼" from the edge. You may find that the sewing is easier if you first baste the felt triangles to the 6" square. (Baste with long, loose running stitches to temporarily hold the fabric together.)

For a paper board, glue the triangle pieces centered in the triangular spaces created by the drawn lines.

Step 5: Stitch Squares Together

Pin the 6" felt square in the center of the 9" felt square. Stitch the squares together with 3 strands of embroidery floss, using a running stitch about ¼" from the edge of the 6" square.

For a paper board, glue the 6" square in the center of the larger square.

Step 6: Play Achi

Achi is a two-player game. Each player needs four game pieces in a color that contrasts with the other player's game pieces. Two different dried beans, like red kidney and white Great Northern, work well; alternatively, use pennies and dimes. The object of the game is to be the first player to align three pieces in a row.

1. Draw lots to see who goes first.
2. Players take turns putting playing pieces on any line intersection.
3. The game moves into its second stage after all pieces have been played and no one has three in a row. Players now take turns moving one of their pieces along a line to an empty spot. No jumping allowed.
4. The first player to get three in a row wins. The row can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.