Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002412036).pdf/37

 his opponent, or his last seed or seeds have been taken by his op- ponent in accordance with § 5. In either case his opponent must be in a position to play once more in a way which makes him stop playing also, but without being compelled to distribute again seeds into the empty holes of the other player's kampong. In the latter case the other player will be in a position to play again.

The player who has made the last move in a game, starts the next one. Only the first game of a set is started by both players together.

A game being finished, both players fill up again the holes of their kampongs with the contents of their rumahs. The player who has lost some seeds in the preceeding game, fills up only as many holes in his kampong as can be filled with 9 seeds. If, for instance, after a game is finished, A has 97 seeds and B only 65, A fills up all the holes of his kampong with 9 seeds each, and keeps the balance of 16 seeds in his rumah, whilst B, beginning with the hole next to his rumah and continuing to the right, fills up of holes of his kampong only and keeps 2 seeds in his rumah. The 2 empty holes in. B's kampong (B 1 and 2) remain empty and are not used at all during the game which follows. If, however, B recovers during this game a sufficient number of seeds, he can fill up for the next game more holes of his kampong again.

A set is finished if after the end of a game one of the players has less than 9 seeds, so that he is unable to fill up even one hole.

For every player, of course, it will be most interesting to find out by himself the various tricks for smart play, but a few hints may be allowed:

1. It is always advisable to avoid big accumulations of seeds in one's own kampong. If your turn comes, always begin with the biggest pile in your kampong, unless, towards the end of the game, calculation advises otherwise. It is profitable for your rumah; you fill up any empty holes wherein otherwise you may come to a stop; you spoil your opponent's chance of making a big haul, and by filling up your opponent's holes you get a chance yourself of a profitable taking.

2. Bear in mind § 4! It will bring many seeds into your rumah, and makes opportunities for attempts on your opponent's treasures.

3. Do your utmost to get the last move in the game. It gives you the start of the next game, which has many advantages.

4. At the beginning of each game, try to remember how many seeds there are in each hole. Calculation is easy by counting the