PURPOSE: To produce a steel ball for playing excellent in wear resistance and corrosion resistance without applying chrome plating by specifying a compsn. constituted of C, Si, Mn, Cr and Fe and providing a hardened layer at least on the surface.

CONSTITUTION: This steel ball for playing is the one having a compsn. contg., by weight, 0.1 to 1.2%A C, ≤1.5% Si, ≤1.5% Mn, ≤0.10% P, 11 to 22 % Cr, and the balance Fe and furthermore contg., at need, 2.0 to 25.0% Ni and at least one kind among ≤0.6% Mo, 0.1 to 0.5% Al and 0.1 to 0.5% Cu, and in which a hardened layer is provided at least on the surface. This surface hardened layer is preferably a hardened layer, a carburized and hardened layer or a work hardened layer.