How to Make Jump-Peg Game
This fascinating game is good fun at all times, but it is especially suited for dull afternoons. It is easily made and is played by only one person at a time. The object of the game is to get all of the pegs off the board except one, which should be left in the centre hole. The pegs are removed by jumping with one over another, removing each peg jumped, as is done in playing checkers.
How to Make
A peg game may be made from heavy cardboard, the following directions are given for constructing it from poplar or other soft wood because of the lasting qualities of wood. If you prefer the more permanent game secure one piece of poplar or other soft wood either or 34 of an inch by 93/2 inches by 934 inches, and one piece dowel rod 34 of an inch by 48 inches.
After squaring and planing the board as desired, mark off spacing for holes, making them x inch apart on centres, as shown in the accompanying drawing. Then bore holes to depth of 3/2 inch, using 34 inch bit. Next cut 32 pins from the rod, making each pin x3/ inch long and slightly pointed on both ends. Now sand the board with No. 34 or any fine sandpaper. If desired, the board may be made more attractive by marking off x inch squares, as shown in the accompanying drawing. These squares can then be painted with two bright colors, as shown. Either water-colors or paints may be used. Shellac with thin shellac (two coats must be applied) or wax with good furniture or floor wax.
How to Play
The jump-peg game is played by filling with pegs all of the holes except the centre one. The player begins to play by jumping any peg over another into the hole and removing from the board the peg thus jumped. All jumps should be made in straight lines, either in a horizontal or a vertical direction.
As explained at the outset, the purpose of this game is to remove all pegs except one from the board. This last peg should be left in the centre hole. This may look very easy, but it is much more difficult than it seems at first sight. The peg sometimes will not jump to the centre hole. If you wish, you may compare your skill in playing jump-peg with that of your friends by seeing who can remove all the pegs but one in the least possible number of moves.
