Who doesn’t love playing Spotto?

In the new book Spotto, Spotty McSpotterson gives us a tongue-in-cheek framework for guidelines about the game of Spotto, plus delves into the deep philosophy and culture of what is Australia’s favourite in-car game.

Understand and define your own specific rules for a game that is always different for everyone.

For example: what makes a car spottable? Where did the game come from? How do you play? (And why are the rules always different?). Can you spot parked cars? Do trucks count? How hard can I punch?

Spotto takes you on a journey through history, philosophy and even theories concerning the definition of the colour yellow. Highly illustrated, this book will delight Spotto lovers everywhere.

Not everyone has heard of Spotto! It is the duty of every seasoned aficionado to evangelise and teach the ways of Spotto but they must broach the subject carefully. Are you in the same car with the same people you played with yesterday? Okay, sure – go for it. But what happens if you are travelling to a conference with your workmates? In 1974, after robbing a State Bank of Victoria, a gang of five thieves jumped into the getaway car to evade police. Rumour has it that Carl Gelbman repeatedly failed to start a game of Spotto during the long ride to rural NSW. The money was split four ways.

The game may begin in three ways:

1. The game is already on. All passengers have an implied understanding that getting in the car inevitably means Spotto. These players may have previously spotted together or they may have explicitly agreed prior to entering the vehicle.This does not mean the game forcibly remains on. In fact players with this level of telepathy usually have the capacity to switch the game on and off via brainwaves alone.
2. A person may ask the other passengers of the vehicle if they would like to play. Boring? Perhaps. Agreement can be made or a vote may ensue. The peril of embarrassment is always possible for suggesting a travel-game in an unknown setting. The probability of having to explain the game to a newcomer always exists especially when dealing with non Australians, much like explaining a joke when it’s too late.
3. The more traditional commencement of Spotto is for any passenger to simply crown themselves the Spotter (winner) of the round by exclaiming “Spotto” and punching someone if they wish. This is by far the preferred method because fellow passengers are unwitting pawns in the first round that they did not know they were playing. Even if the game is called off by vote or group-shaming, the Spotter still gets a small victory.

Must we be inside a car?

Perhaps tradition can get in the way of fun, but it is a car game after all – not a walking game or a water sport. If you would like to play while walking you can go ahead and spot other pedestrians with yellow t-shirts. You can’t play real tennis in the dining room and you can’t win the grand final from your Smokey Dawson armchair. If you think you can, then you are just another voyeur or spectator. Either get in the game or stay on the sideline. Spotting cars from the footpath is like describing surfing from an office chair.

Do we all have to play?

l Can I opt out? What if the person beside me does not want to play? The game has its emotional roots growing inside the consensus of the group. However if there is a schism or rift the opt-outer is forced to inadvertently imitate a punching bag, bracing for multiple shoulder and leg contusions. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a “sunshiner” or a “lemon lump” and starts looking like they’ve been in a round with a heavyweight champ. So, play along or prepare to be the group’s unofficial bruise collector!

Pausing and stopping

The driver has ultimate discretion to abandon the game for themself at any time due to safety concerns. Games are frequently and rightfully stopped while important life-preserving automobile manoeuvring matters are at hand. Furthermore, the car or school bus may become excessively charged with yellow energy necessitating a pause in the game. This pausability flies in the face of modern players who think that Spotto is “always on” but we must prioritise safety, dignity, and not forcibly keep our offspring in a Spotto-only world – we do need them to grow up just a little bit, but the game will be forever in their hearts.

Many reasons exist for stopping or pausing the game:

• being pulled over by police (aka The “Po-Po”)
• listening to your teacher (This will pay off in the long run)
• complicated traffic conditions (“Pipe down for a minute!”)

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