***** SENET *****

The board: A 10x3 square grid. If one were to number the squares 1 through 10 in the first row (where the pieces start) beginning in the upper left hand corner the path of movement would curve downward to the second row 11 through 20 numbered from right to left and then down to the third row 21 through 30 numbered from left to right. The final five squares are marked I (30), II (29), III (28), X (27) and +0 (26). The symbol on square 26 is actually a plus above and connected to a circle like an upside-down symbol for the planet Venus.

Pieces: Each player begins with five pieces (dark or light). Play begins with piece alternating along one of the two outer rows. Dice: Four long dice (2 sided slats of wood) marked or curved on one side are most often used though knuckle bones have also been associated with the game. Throws are scored: 6 pts = 4 marks 1 pt = 3 marks 2 pts = 2 marks 3 pts = 1 mark 4 pts = 0 marks First move is determined by a high throw. Play (from Board & Table Games 1): 1. The opening player throws the die again and moves a piece the indicated number of squares, landing on an empty suare, or one containing an enemy piece which is captured and removed. a piece may not move on to a square occupied by one of its own team. 2. If an opening player's first throw is a 2, he can only move his front piece, all the others being blocked, and if he throws a 4 then only one of his two forward pieces can be moved. With a throw of 1 he can move any piece and make a capture. and with a throw of 3 he can make a capture with any piece except his front one. 3. The players throw the dice alternately, making their moves before passing the die to their opponent. The pieces can only move towards the end of the board. They cannot move backwards. 4. A piece reaching one of the marked squares (X, III, II, I) cannot be captured but rests on it until an exact throw allows the piece to escape from the board and wins the player a point. a piece reaching the square marked(+0) is safe from attack, but must move on to a marked square as soon as possible. 5. A piece must vacate a marked square at the first possible throw. 6. The player guiding most pieces safely off the board wins the game.