Quoits. #0225

--One of the oldest of outdoor games, and still very popular in the rural districts.
--The quoit is a flattened circular iron ring, having a thin outer edge. The weight of the quoit is not fixed, but it is usually about 9lb, and the diameter must not exceed 8 inches over all.
--Two iron or steel pins are driven into the ground 18 yards apart, leaving about 1 inch above ground. Each pin is placed in the centre of a ''hob'' or ''end,'' which is a circle of stiff clay 3 feet in diameter.
--The object of the game is to throw the quoits, each player having two, in such a manner that they encircle the hob pin, or get as near to the pin as possible. When a quoit encircles the pin, it is called a ''ringer,'' and counts for two points. If a player succeeds in placing both his quoits nearer the pin than any other quoit of his opponent he scores two; if only one is nearer he scores one. If the nearest quoit of each player is equi-distant from the pin, nothing is scored.
--A match may be for any number of points agreed upon; usually 11 constitutes the game for two players, and 15 when four are playing. In matches all quoits more than 18 inches from the pin, and those lying on their backs, are dead, and are removed.
--In playing the quoit is held with the forefinger lying along the outer edge, the tip of the finger resting in the dent provided for the purpose, and a slight spin is given to the quit as it leaves the player's hand so that it may maintain its direction, and an angle of about 30° as it reaches the ground.
--After all the quoits have been thrown from one end, the points are counted, and the winner takes the first throw from the other end.
--No quoit counts unless fairly delivered into the clay. A rolling quoit does not count unless it has first struck another quoit or the pin. All dead quoits must be removed before the next player throws. Measurements are made by compasses, or by a string looped over the pin.
•<EWUE 118th Ed. HJLtd. Pub. 1933>

''A Clear Conscience Fears No Accusation.''