Dibble Dabble

Dibble Dabble is a swimming pool game whose origins are unknown. It is known to have been played in Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, California, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, Texas, Wisconsin and in English-speaking parts of Quebec. In New Jersey it is referred to as Dibble. In southern U.S. states the game is called "Toothpaste Top". The pool of Jamie Guido in East Brunswick, New Jersey is widely thought to be the origin of this game.
Play
In Dibble Dabble, one of the players places a toothpick, golf tee, wooden stick, or other small yet buoyant object underwater in a pool (or other body of water) while the other players stand with their backs turned at the side of the pool. As the stick floats slowly to the surface, players standing at the side of the pool watch for it. When one of the players sees the stick, he or she exclaims "Dibble Dabble!" and jumps into the water to try to retrieve it. If the player captures it during the initial grab (before resurfacing), the player is the one who places it under water in the next round. If the player failed to grab the object, it is still in play until someone succeeds in grabbing it direct from the jump.
If the pool has a diving board, the dibble dabbler releases the stick after jumping or diving off, while the other players stand on a different side. In this version, the dibble dabbler must place the stick before they resurface to breathe.
In a one variation, the player says "dibble dabble" after grabbing hold of the stick; before it is said the stick can be stolen by others. This may lead to efforts to splash the person in the face, so as to prevent them from speaking, while simultaneously attempting to steal the item out of their hand.
If a "Teeble" occurs, the game is then concluded, and the person who "Teebled" is winner.
In another varation, only "Dibble" is yelled when jumping into to water when trying to catch the cap/object. "Dabble" is yelled upon resurfacing only if the cap has been caught.
Often a popsicle stick is used as the object but golf tees, tops of toothpaste tubes, hairspray caps, water bottle caps, toothpicks, match stick, golf pencils, plastic combs, or clear plastic straws can be used.
Recently, players have abandoned playing Dibble Dabble, instead playing the "new and improved" version of the game called Toothpick. The two games are virtually identical, with the major variation being the use of a colored toothpick instead of a golf tee. The games starts when a player takes a toothpick, dives to the bottom of the deep end of the pool and "buries" the toothpick on the bottom. The burier then surfaces and stands around the pool with the other players while they wait for the toothpick to surface, where upon seeing the toothpick, any player can jump into the water and attempt to grab the toothpick. Successfully grabbing a toothpick results in one point, and the games traditionally are decided by earning eleven points, while winning by at least two points. The current TPL champions are The Trinasty, hailing from the Eastern Division.
Tactics
A player can fake out other players by jumping in even when he does not yet see the stick.
When someone jumps in to grab the stick a good strategy for the others is also to jump in and to try to splash around so that the first person cannot grab the stick. If a player failed to grab it on her initial jump, she may splash around for the same effect.
Consequently, a player who sees the stick may be well advised not to jump directly toward it.
Some may try to push others into the pool. The legality of this varies from pool to pool.
The stick may also be placed underneath the rung of a ladder so that it cannot float to the surface, although the fairness of this strategy is open to debate.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDFyu8z1x8k
Terminology
In some regions the stick is called "the Dibble Dabble" and the person hiding the stick, "the Dibble Dabbler". The game is sometimes called "tee" when played with a golf tee.
Crabble: An inadvertent catch of the Dibble Dabble between ones fingers rather than clasped in the hands.
Frabble: The act of catching the Dibble Dabble in between one's toes.
Teeble: When one catches the Dibble Dabble in their teeth. Extremely difficult. Results in conclusion of game.

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See Also

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