round by means of the
spoon-ended cue, and thrown towards the ring--the object of the player
being to pass the ball through the ring; and he who succeeds in making
any given number of points by fairly ringing his ball, or canoning
against the other balls, wins the game.

Canons are made by the player striking two balls successively with his
own ball fairly delivered from his spoon. Thus (says the most recent
writer on the game) a clever player may make a large number of
points--five, seven, or more at a stroke: two the first canon, two for
a second canon, and three for the ring. This, however, is very seldom
accomplished.

Considerable skill is required in throwing the ball, as the ring,
turning freely on its pivot, twists round on being struck. To "make
the ring," it is necessary, therefore, that the ball be thrown fairly
through its centre. But in order to get nearer to it a judicious
player will endeavour to make two or three canons, if the balls lie
within a convenient distance and at a proper angle to each other. If
the ball be thrown with sufficient force, it will glance off from the
ball struck in a line corresponding to its first or original line of
projection.

2596. Rules.

i. Troco may be played by two or more persons, each of whom is
provided with a ball and a cue. When more than two play, sides are
chosen, and the side which first makes the requisite number of
points wins the game.

ii. The players stand in a circle, in the centre of which is set up
the pivot-ring.

iii. Each player starts from any portion of the circle distant not
less than four yards from the ring. The first player lifts his ball
with the spoon-cue, and throws it towards the ring; each of the
others taking his turn alternately--the balls remaining on the
ground where they stop rolling.

iv. If the first player fail to "make his ring," the next goes on,
who may either throw at the ring or at the ball in the circle.

v. Partners may assist each other in getting near the ring; but no
player, at starting, may step within four yards of the ring.

vi. _Two_ points are counted for every canon, and _three_ for every
fairly-made ring; and successive points are reckoned for any number
of rings or canons.

vii. Each player goes on till he fails to canon or ring his ball;
when the next plays; and so on, till the require