Chicken Drop Craze: A Unique Belizean Gambling Tradition

The World-Famous Chicken Drop is a gambling game and one of the oldest and most famous traditions in Ambergris Caye, Belize. The game, which was started by an expat named Carol in the 1980s, involves participants betting on a number between 1 and 100 on a large bingo-like board, with the aim of a chicken pooping on their chosen number. The game usually starts around 5 pm or 7 pm and is played in five rounds, with a prize of $100 BZD or more. The winner is required to clean up the chicken mess before collecting their prize.

Chicken Drop's new location

Chicken Drops New Location

The world-famous Chicken Drop has moved to a new location! Previously hosted at Wahoo's Lounge in downtown San Pedro, the Chicken Drop has now relocated to the Corona Del Mar Hotel, south of the town. The new venue offers a more spacious environment, both on the beach by the board and indoors, with a swimming pool and stunning beach and sea views.

The Chicken Drop is a quirky and unique tradition in San Pedro, Belize, where people gather to bet on chicken poop. It is one of Ambergris Caye's oldest and most famous traditions, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The game is usually played on a large bingo-like board with numbers from 1 to 100. Participants purchase tickets and bet on a number, hoping that the chicken will "drop" on their chosen spot. The winner takes home a cash prize, usually $100 BZD, but sometimes more, depending on the bets placed.

The game typically starts around 5 PM or 7 PM and is hosted by a DJ who hypes up the crowd. A volunteer is selected to perform the ritual of swirling and shaking the chicken before placing it on the board with a final blow to its rear—a good luck charm. The crowd then cheers and screams, encouraging the chicken to drop on their chosen number. It's important to note that touching the chicken is strictly forbidden.

If the chicken takes longer than expected, a backup chicken is brought out, and the ritual is repeated. Some participants even try to lure the chicken to their number with corn. Once the chicken finally drops, the crowd goes wild, and the winner is revealed. However, before claiming their prize, the winner must clean up the "drop" using the provided tissue.

The Chicken Drop is a fun and entertaining activity that offers a unique gambling experience. It's a great way to spend time with friends, family, and even strangers, as you all cheer and hope for the chicken to drop on your number. So, if you're looking for a quirky and memorable experience in Belize, head to the new location of the Chicken Drop at Corona Del Mar Hotel on Thursdays starting at 6 PM.

For those who are interested in a similar experience, there is now another Chicken Drop in town! The Universal Chicken Drop, trademarked by the previous DJ and MC Barrington, takes place at Estel's Dine by the Sea on Friday nights.

How to play the game

The Chicken Drop is a game that originated in San Pedro, Belize, and is one of the island's oldest and most famous traditions. It is a unique gambling game where players bet on a number between 1 and 100 on a large bingo-like board, and the winner is determined by where a chicken chooses to defecate. The game usually starts around 5 pm and is hosted by Wahoo's Lounge, which is located at the Corona Del Mar Hotel in San Pedro.

• Purchase a ticket from the Wahoo's Lounge staff and choose a number between 1 and 100 to bet on. Each ticket typically costs BZD$1, and the game has five rounds per night.
• Once the game begins, gather around the board with other players. A volunteer will be selected to initiate the game by saying the famous phrase, "Chicken Security, Bring me my chicken!".
• The volunteer will then gently swirl and shake the chicken before placing it on the board. As per tradition, the volunteer will also blow into the chicken's rear for good luck.
• Cheer and encourage the chicken to defecate on your chosen number. You are not allowed to touch the chicken, but you can use corn to lure it to your spot and stimulate it to defecate.
• If the chicken takes longer than expected, a backup chicken will be brought out, and the same swirling, shaking, and blowing ritual will be performed.
• Once the chicken defecates, the crowd will celebrate, especially the winner whose number was chosen.
• Before the winner can claim their prize, they must clean up the chicken's mess. The prize is usually BZD$100 but can sometimes be higher, depending on the bets placed.

The Chicken Drop is a fun and quirky activity that has become a beloved tradition in San Pedro, Belize. It offers a unique gambling experience and a chance for locals and tourists to come together and enjoy a light-hearted evening by the beach.

The role of 'Chicken Security'

Chicken Security plays a crucial role in the World Famous Chicken Drop, a beloved tradition in San Pedro, Belize. This unique event combines elements of gambling, entertainment, and, of course, chicken security protocols. Here, we delve into the role of Chicken Security and how they contribute to the excitement and smooth operation of the Chicken Drop.

Chicken Security is responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the safety of both the chickens and the participants. They are in charge of bringing out the star of the show, the chicken, at the appointed time. Their presence adds an air of anticipation and excitement to the gathering crowd. With their authoritative stance, Chicken Security escorts the chicken with the dignity and respect that a celebrity of its calibre deserves.

One of the most important duties of Chicken Security is to enforce the rules of the game. They ensure that participants abide by the "no-touch" rule, forbidding anyone from physically interacting with the chicken. This rule not only maintains the integrity of the game but also prioritises the chicken's comfort and well-being. Chicken Security officers are vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on both the chicken and the enthusiastic crowd to prevent any unauthorised contact.

Additionally, Chicken Security plays a ceremonial role in the Chicken Drop tradition. They facilitate the selection of a volunteer from the crowd, who is then tasked with performing a specific ritual. This ritual involves swirling and shaking the chicken and, in a moment of high anticipation, blowing into the chicken's rear to impart luck. Chicken Security oversees this ritual, ensuring that it is carried out correctly and with the utmost respect for the chicken.

Furthermore, Chicken Security is responsible for crowd control and management. As the event attracts a large number of locals and tourists, their presence helps maintain order and prevent overcrowding near the board. They guide the crowd, ensuring everyone has a clear view of the action and can participate fairly in the betting process. Chicken Security officers are also on the lookout for any unruly behaviour, ensuring that the event remains a fun and safe experience for all attendees.

In conclusion, Chicken Security plays a multifaceted role in the World Famous Chicken Drop. They are the guardians of the chickens, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the event. Additionally, they uphold the rules of the game, maintain order, and contribute to the overall excitement and enjoyment of the participants. Chicken Security's presence adds a layer of professionalism and organisation to what could otherwise be a chaotic event involving live animals and eager gamblers. Their dedication to their duties helps elevate the Chicken Drop to a beloved and quirky tradition that has put San Pedro, Belize, on the map.

The history of the Chicken Drop

The Chicken Drop is one of Ambergris Caye's oldest traditions. Sometime in the 80s, an expat named Carol opened the Pier Lounge in San Pedro and started the World Famous Chicken Drop.

The game is played on a large bingo-like board placed on the beach sand, with numbers 1 through 100. Players bet a dollar on a square, and if the chicken poops on their number, they win the pot. The winner must clean up the chicken mess.

The game usually starts around 5 pm and is played every Thursday at Wahoo's Lounge, which moved to Corona Del Mar Hotel in 2022. There are about five rounds throughout the evening, each taking place every hour. The prize is usually $100 BZD, but it can be more, depending on the bets.

Before the game starts, a volunteer is selected to blow into the chicken's rear for good luck. The chicken is then placed on the board, and the crowd cheers and screams to encourage the chicken to drop on the number they bet on. One of the rules is that you cannot touch the chicken. If the chicken takes longer than expected, a backup chicken is brought out, and the same ritual is performed.

The Chicken Drop's popularity

The Chicken Drop is one of Ambergris Caye's oldest and most famous traditions. It is a fun gambling game on a giant bingo-like board placed on the beach sand, where you bet on which number a chicken will "drop" its poop. The game usually starts around 5 pm and is played on a large bingo-like board. It is hosted every Thursday at 7:00 pm for 5 rounds per night, with each round taking place every hour. Tickets go on sale an hour before the game starts, and you can purchase a ticket for any of the 5 Chicken Drop rounds of the night, starting at 7:00 pm and following every half hour.

The Chicken Drop is a great activity to have fun with friends, family, and even strangers while having the opportunity to win some cash. The prize is usually $100 BZD, but sometimes it can be more, depending on the bet. For example, one player won $100 USD, and another won $25bzd. The winner must remove the "drop" from the board before collecting their prize and is provided with a tissue to complete the job.

The game has become so popular that it has outgrown its original location and has moved to a new location with more space. The new location, Corona Del Mar Hotel, offers a swimming pool and stunning beach and sea views. The Chicken Drop has also become so popular that there is now a second Chicken Drop game in town, with the original DJ and MC planning to take the game country-wide.

Frequently asked questions