The Nesting Doll Game (Matryoshka Game)

DISCLAIMER: I do not recommend messing with the paranormal. I only post these games for entertainment and because we all love a good scare.

The Nesting Doll Game is a fortune telling ritual, penned on Reddit NoSleep by User kukla-ne-plach. The game involves using Matryoshka dolls to grant wishes or receive good fortune. I’ve added some tidbits sourced from the OP's comments to complete the instructions.

According to OP's story, this game was narrated at summer camp by a group of senior boys. In Russian it is called, "Udachnaya Matryoshka," meaning "Lucky Nesting Doll."

~You will need~

• A set of Matryoshka dolls. The OP recommends having a few sets on hand. They must be antique or the ones passed down as an heirloom. New ones are not as effective. 
• A room with a large mirror. It should contain one door and no windows.
• A few boxes of candles. The more, the better. 
• A lighter.
• A wastebasket
• Paper and pencil.
• A container of salt.
• A lucky charm or religious symbol tied by a thread. 
• A friend for assistance. 

~Preparation~

• Take all the materials listed above in your chosen room, after nightfall. I should make a note here that it is best if you do this in a room or house you may never return to, in case the ritual fails. Before you step in, secure your charm or symbol on the door handle. 
• Close the door. 
• This step is part of the preparation. It is advised that you do not know the contents of your nesting dolls beforehand. This step is what makes it a divination ritual. Begin by taking apart your dolls, down to the smallest undivided piece. 
• Count number of dolls. By this, I mean whole dolls not each piece as a different part. Like if there are 9 pieces it means you have 5 whole dolls. If there are 11 pieces, you have 6 whole dolls and so forth.
•  If the number of dolls is even, discard them. Put each disassembled piece in the wastebasket and cover it with salt. 
• Repeat this process until you find a set that has an odd number of dolls. Once you find one, we can begin the gameplay. In case you fail this step, i.e only get an even number of dolls, skip to Ending #2. 

~Gameplay~

• During the gameplay, if you are interrupted, like a knock on the door or another emergency please see Ending #2
• Assemble your nesting dolls separately. The OP doesn’t specify on how to arrange them, but I believe big to small would be a good lineup. Position your dolls with their faces towards the mirror. 
• Place a lighted candle behind each doll. The glow should give you enough light to see their faces. If you fall short of candles skip to Ending #2.
• Turn off the lights in the room and study your dolls. You must memorize their features and colours, along with any unique markings they may have. This is important.
• Since there is no time limit on this game, you may take as long as you need. Once you have memorized the dolls, turn away from the mirror. With your back to it, breath slowly and count to seven. 
• You will feel a chill, hear laughter or whispering. Do not panic or become fearful. Calmly turn around to face the mirror and open your eyes. This is the most important step. If the candles have blown out or the dolls are unrecognizable, skip to Ending #2. 
• If the smallest doll has been knocked over, proceed in gameplay. 

ENDING #1:

• Pick your pencil and write your wish on the paper. It's best to ask for something simple otherwise your wish may not be granted. 
• Fold the paper an odd number of times and place it into the second smallest doll. Assemble the set once again. Make sure their faces and colours are angled the same way. 
• Extinguish the candles and exit the room. Have a friend dispose of the dolls in the wastebasket. 
• Burn the nesting dolls as soon as possible, preferably within the next hour. Hold on to the smallest doll. Keep it under your pillow that night. 
• If the doll has vanished by morning it means your wish will be granted. If it has not, do not worry, you may not get your wish but the doll will bring you great fortune in the coming years. 
• On the other hand, if the doll has changed in any shape or form, the ritual has failed (you did not perform bullet point 6 in the Gameplay correctly) and you will face a year of misfortune. Burn it, but by now it's probably too late. 

ENDING #2:

• In case you performed the steps incorrectly or have failed the ritual, here is what to do: 
• Blow out all the candles. 
• Gripping the door handle with closed eyes, say seven times,

"Я не хочу играть"

“YA ne hochu igrat”

“I don’t want to play.” 

• Then open the door and leave immediately. Do not look back or return to the room. Have a friend dispose of all the dolls by putting them in the wastebasket and covering them with salt. 
• While leaving, if your charm or symbol on the outside has vanished, leave immediately. You must never return to the house or room again. 

~WARNINGS~

• Do not attempt the ritual more than once. It will recognize you. 
• Do not use dolls you’ve made yourself. 
• Do not turn on the lights.
• Do not assemble the even-numbered dolls
• If one of the dolls has changed to look like you, its game over. 

Source: Reddit/Nosleep

Image Source: Pixabay