The Game of Kinkajou.
Shuffleboard is an admirable game. It calls forth much skill, and were it not for the bad uses to which it is often put would be more generally enjoyed. The regulation shuffleboard occupies considerable space, but if you would enjoy a miniature game, dubbed Kinkajou, your board is to be found on the well-polished surface of the dining table, which, by-the-way, must be rectangular. Fourteen inches from each end draw a light line with chalk. Your "weights" are half-dollars, three for each player. Two or four may play. The prime object of the game is to so slide the pieces that (1) they will touch the chalk-line—scoring 5, or (2) reach the space within the line and the end of the table—scoring 10, or (3) overlap the end of the table or the sides within the line—scoring 25.
Two players, A and B, are at either end of the table, say. They play in turn, each sliding his pieces to his opponent's end. If A slides his first piece so that it all but reaches the line, he will try to strike the first piece with his second, and "shove" it to one of the three positions, if possible, placing the second piece also in one of them. With his third piece he may choose to try the slim chance of shoving to score 25.
With two at the table there is no opportunity for playing on one's opponent; but where four are playing there is a field for really scientific plays. Supposing A, B, C, and D are at the table, and that A and B, C and D are partners. A and C occupy one end, B and D the other. A's and B's pieces are turned "heads," C's and D's "tails," by way of distinction. A begins the game by sliding her pieces. For example, she has succeeded in placing two within and one without the line. C, who is A's antagonist, tries first to displace the latter's right-hand piece within the line, and succeeds in sending it off the table, his own piece remaining on the 10 space. C's second piece is aimed for A's outside one, with the intention of sending it also clear of the table. This is done, and C's piece remains on the line. C, for his last slide, sends his piece toward A's left-hand piece within the line, but ingloriously misses it, while his own piece falls off the table. The score of the first "slide" is now taken, resulting in 15 for C's and 10 for A's side. B and D now slide their pieces, and at the end of the tenth slide the scores are compared.
A still more elaborate game of partners may be played where the four are seated together at one end of the table. In this game a score-keeper must seat himself at the opposite end to catch the pieces and to point out by whom each is played. Partners do not sit together. The plays are made in turn, beginning at the left hand. Thus, if the order were A, C, B, D, C would have A's pieces to play on, B would have C's, with an eye to his partner's (A's) pieces, while D would have A's and B's, with D's to care for. At the end of D's play the score of each side is carefully taken.
The writer has whiled away many a half-hour with this little game, which combines in a small way billiards and "curling," and he hopes that though not a "Round" Table game, it, nevertheless, will be enjoyed by many a Lancelot or Elaine.
Vincent V. M. Beede, R.T.F.