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BAGATELLE (French, from Ital. bagatel...

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Originally appearing in Volume V03, Page 193 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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BAGATELLE (See also:French, from Ital. bagatella,.bagata, a trifle) , primarily a thing of trifling importance. The name, though French, is given to a See also:game which is probably of See also:English origin; though its connexion with the See also:shovel-See also:board of See also:Cotton's See also:Complete Gamester is very doubtful. See also:Strutt does not mention it. The game is very likely a modification of See also:billiards, and is played on an oblong board or table varying in See also:size from 6 ft. by 12 ft. to lo ft. by 3 ft. The See also:bed of the table is generally made of See also:slate, although, in the smaller sizes, See also:wood covered with See also:green See also:cloth is often used. The sides are cushioned with See also:india-See also:rubber. The See also:head is semi-circular and fitted with 9 numbered cups set into the bed, their See also:numbers showing the amount scored by putting a See also:ball into them. An See also:ordinary billiard-cue and nine balls, one See also:black, four red and four See also:white, are used. The black ball is placed upon a spot about 9 in. in front of hole i, and about 18 in. from the player's end of the board a See also:line (the See also:baulk) is See also:drawn across it, behind. which is another spot for the player's ball. (These measurements of course differ according to the size of the table.) Some See also:modern tables have pockets as well as cups. Bagatelle Proper.—The black ball having been placed on the upper spot, the players " See also:string " for the See also:lead, the winner being that player who plays his ball into the highest hole. Any number may See also:play, either separately, or in sides.

Each player in turn plays all eight halls up the table, no See also:

score being allowed until -a ball has touched the black ball, the See also:object being to play as many balls as possible into the holes, the black ball counting See also:double. Balls missing the black at the beginning, those See also:rolling back across the baulk-line, and those forced off the table are "dead " for that See also:round and removed. The game is decided by the aggregate score made in an agreed number of rounds. Sans Egal.—This is a French See also:form of the game. Two players take See also:part, one using the red and one the white balls. After stringing for lead, the See also:leader plays at the black, forfeiting a ball if he misses. His opponent then plays at the black if it has not been touched, otherwise any way he likes, and each then plays alternately, the object being to hole the black and his own balls, the winner being the one who scores the highest number of points. If a player holes one of his opponent's balls it is scored for his opponent. The game is decided by a certain number of rounds, or by points, usually 21 or 31. In other matters the rules of bagatelle apply. The See also:Cannon Game.—This is usually considered the best and most scientific of bagatelle varieties. Tables without cups are sometimes used.

As in billiards three balls are required, the white, spot-white and black, the last being spotted and the non-striker's ball placed midway between holes 1 and 9.

End of Article: BAGATELLE (French, from Ital. bagatella,.bagata, a trifle)

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