Main Pacheh.
THE PENANG GAME.
This game can be played by 2, 3, or 4 persons, each player sitting at one of the four points A, B, C, D (see diagram 2).
Each player has four pieces which at the commencement of the game he places in the crossed square facing his position: these four squares opposite A, B, C, D, are the respective starting points.
The course to be taken by one of B's pieces is dotted in the diagram. It seems rather confusing in its twists and turns, but the Malays do not seem to find it so.
The players throw by turn with four cowrie shells and score as follows:—
| 4 | shells opening upwards | = 4* |
| 3 | shells„ opening„ upwards„ | = 3 |
| 2 | shells„ opening„ upwards„ | = 2 |
| 1 | shells„ opening„ upwards„ | = 1 |
| 4 | shells„ opening„ downwards | = 8* |
* Secures an extra throw.
The method of procedure is exactly the same as in the Achehnese variety, a square marked (X) has the same meaning, and a piece which is caught (pukul) must go back to its starting point.
[Note.—I find that this game also is tedious, and hasten things by introducing 5 shells, scoring as before with the addition of
| 5 | shells opening upwards | = 12* |
| 5 | shells„ opening„ downwards | = 12 ]. |
