a water column game that includes a plurality of vertically oriented water columns , each having a housing disposed at the upper end thereof coaxial with and in open communication with the column . a float is freely disposed and captured within each housing . a target and valves are responsive to a game player for directing water into a lower end of each water column , such that water rises within the column and the housing in sequence so as to raise the float buoyantly within the housing . a switch is disposed at the upper end of each housing , and is responsive to contact by the float for indicating that the float has reached the upper end of the column . after each play , all water columns and housings are drained to a common sump . the water - fill volume of each column and housing is adjustable and all columns are fed from a common pump for equalizing the opportunity of each player to win .