Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-01-07

crosses that line. the play has to count,
no matter even if the block does not
touch tho board at all. Although the
blocks are played from point at
considerable distance frcm the board,
at any distance which the players may
choose, there being nc general rule,
they are not showed along the deck by
hand. The reason for this, presume,
lies mainly in the fact that. as lad es
take part in the game, it would be IN
convenient and awkward for them to
stoop over to the extent that they
would in order to play the blocks by
1hand Besides that, the game would
he comparatively easy if the hands
could be used
WHEN IL game is about to be played,
Il re4uisition. is usually made npon the
steward for long sticks, which it is sus-
pected We're formerly attached to the
broad end OF Il broom. The game is
usually made to end at fifty points, al
though, Of course, any other number
may be chosen. 1t can be played by
two or any even number OF players.
The resting OF block completely
within any one of the sections OF the
board counts for Il PLAYER whatever
figure has been chaiked within that
section. 1t is in many respects Il sci
entific game, Tor, in the first place, it
requires deal OF knack to send the
blocks even approximately i'll the di-
rection desired by the player. The
first attempts usually result in sending
the block Off to one side III such a way
that it cannot possibly count anything
for the player. The general aim OF
course of the first player would be to
send his block into the upper semi
circle, and SO secure score
OF ten for his side. But sup
pose that, instead OF getting it into
that section, it comes to rest in the
square numbered |. Ii it does not
touch any OF the four boundaries of
that section he is credited with one.
and his block has TO stay there until
the rest of the play has been finished.
Remaining there in that section, it is
literally a stumbling-block to all other
players who wish to get into the upper
semi-circle. If, however, any player
chances to knock the block from
its position in square completely
within the sem;-circle, it makes that
first block count ten instead of the one
originally allowed to it. The count,
however, is not secure unless all the
plays have been made, for any other
player is at liberty, if he can, to
knock the block out from that semi
circle, and beyond the limits of the
b1arl. In such case the player gets
nothing to his credit. Again, suppose
player Just manages to get his block
across the line. 1t is then directly in
the way of all succeeding players, and
undoubtedly skillful horse billardist
would make it his first effort to carom
against the Objectionable block and get
it out of the course of the play if he
could. Some players are so skillful
that they can carom in this way upon
an interpreting block and knock it out
of the course, while, at the same time,
they bring their own block to rest
within one OF the good scores upon
the board. Naturally such players are
those who have crossed the Atlantic
many times, and have had many OPP
portunities to indulge in tine game.
AS every block is played in success
sion the difficulties increase. There is