London
Source:
Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category:
QUIET GAMES
_2 players._
_Indoors; schoolroom; seashore._
This is a quiet game in which the players are all seated. A diagram is
drawn on a slate or piece of paper of oblong shape, about six by ten
inches in outside dimensions, if the surface admits of one so large.
This is divided by a horizontal line every two inches. It is an
advantage if the players have different colored pencils, but this is
not necessary. A piece of paper is placed at the bottom of the diagram
and blown over the diagram toward the top; or a small piece of glass
or china called a "chipper" is used, the latter being nicked or
snapped with the fingers. The first player snaps his chipper, and in
whichever place it stops marks with a pencil a small round "_o_" to
represent a man's head. The chipper is then returned to its starting
place and the play is repeated. This is continued until the player has
marked a head in each of the horizontal spaces; or should his chipper
land a second time in a space in which he has already marked such a
head, he makes a larger round under the head to represent the body of
a man. The third time it lands in this place he makes a downward
stroke for a leg, and the fourth time one for a second leg, which
completes the man. Should three complete men be so drawn in one
space, the player, without shooting again, draws what are called
"arms," that is, a horizontal line from the figures across the space
to the outside limits. This occupies the space completely and keeps
the other player out of that space; that is, the other cannot put any
men in it or add to any which he may already have started there.
The first player continues to play until the chipper lands on a line;
a player whose chipper lands on a line or outside of the diagram loses
his turn. The other player then takes his turn, and may start,
continue, or complete men in any spaces which the first player has not
occupied with three armed men, even though the latter may have started
men in the space or have completed two of them. Each player may build
only on his own men.
The player wins who succeeds in occupying the largest number of spaces
with three armed men of his own drawing.
The space at the top of the diagram, called "London," is especially
advantageous. No men are marked in it, but should the chipper land
there at any time, the player may draw a head in every other space on
the diagram, or add one mark to any one drawing he may have already in
each space.
This game may be played on the seashore or playground or wherever the
diagram may be drawn in hard earth.
For the schoolroom it is an interesting diversion for pupils who
assemble early before the opening of the school session.
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