Cy RobinsonFollow

Date Collected

Winter 12-7-2018

Place item was collected

Logan, Utah

Informant

Cy Robinson

Point of Discovery/Informant Bio

Myself, Cy Robinson. Sired and raised in southeast Idaho in the town 11,000 strong of Blackfoot. 19 Male, current sophomore college student, Caucasian, second oldest of 4 with two parents and a special needs adult who is just as much family as anyone else. No religious ties currently but raised LDS, currently unemployed but seasonal summer work at Cowabunga Bay Waterpark in Draper, Utah, 4 years strong. I live and work in Utah in the summers with my great Aunt and Uncle. I just declared my major as Communication Studies and English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in folklore. I went to high school and had lots of “friends” but only a small group of 4 that I considered my own friends.

Context

I first learned of this game through my freshman year roommates. I became accustom to playing it to pass time or get out tension in the group. Since learning it I have played it with my fraternity brothers, and other group organizations that I have been a part of. With that I have also learned a couple of variation on it from others. I decided to write the rules down for the variation that I play the most with my roommates this year in Snow 501, nicknamed The Tent. The game started with pretty hazy rules but they have been locked down since and are quite strict. My roommates and I play this game for 6 or so hours a week. It’s a workout and a high paced game so its easy to get out of your own mind. Each of my roommates have different “signature throws” some try going lefty, so its evolved to be one of the The Tents favorite past times.

Text

Equipment: a pool table and two billiard balls

The object of the game is to be the last player at the billiards table. You are no longer an eligible player if you have received 4 letters (the amount of letters can change to the groups liking)

Starting the game:

To start the game the object ball is placed in the center of the table between the second diamonds, (the position called the kitchen in normal pool) The game starts with everyone standing around the table, this determines the throwing order. Each individual throws after the person on their right. So once order is determined play begins. The first thrower has to hit the stationary object ball and set it into motion. After that the next player throws at the, now in motion, object ball. The object ball must remain in motion to be playable for the next thrower.

Throws:

The throw ball must be thrown from the small side of the billiards table.

The throw must also be from the opposite side the object ball is on. (Say the ball moves past the half way mark of the table, the player must run to the opposite side of the table to hit the object ball.)

Letters:

Letters are the lives of the game. Each letter received is a “life lost” essentially, once the word is reached you are no longer in play. The order of throwers stays the same but you are skipped as if you didn’t exist.

To receive a letter

The object ball must have ceases motion before you were able to hit it with the throw ball

The object ball is hit into the pocket by the person before you (thus making it impossible for you to hit the ball and give it motion)

The thrower attempts to hit the object ball without success 3 times

If you receive a letter the table resets and the object ball is placed in the center of the table on the “kitchen line”

The player to receive a letter is also the player who starts the motion of the object ball again and play resumes as normal.

If an individual gets out the starting shot will be thrown by the person succeeding you.

If at any time the object ball leaves the realm of the billiards table the game is reset and the individual does not get a letter.

If the throw ball leaves the table at any time or is pocketed the thrower must continue to play and retrieve the throw ball, hopefully before the object ball meanders into a pocket or ceases to move.

Texture

The game is high energy and fun to play with competitive people. My roommates get really into it. We have been told that if we are playing Scrud you can hear us from 3 floors down. The friendships/rivalries and any other forced social interactions that come from this game are all in good fun and make for a great way to spend time with one another. It’s not as much of a socializing game as a game of cards may be but its one of those games that you get to see each other’s true character, like monopoly. Everyone loses their mind in the greatest of ways.

Course

ENGL 2210

Instructor

Lynne McNeill

Semester and year

Fall 2018

Theme

G6: Competition Games

EAD Number

1.1.4.66

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