The improved jousting apparatus includes two sticks which are joined together with a flexible rope-like connecting member which is anchored within the ends of the respective sticks. The connecting member is long enough to allow motion of the two sticks relative to each other. Each stick includes two positioning rings along the length thereof, the upper ring identifying a normal position for the upper hand of each contestant, the first and second rings together identifying a first disadvantaged position for a selected contestant, and the second ring identifying a further disadvantaged position for the selected contestant.