Akron Press February 14, 1923, front page

OFFICIAL GAME IS RINGER

Learn It If You Want in Marbles Title Tourney

PLAY "Ringer." R-I-N-G-E-R.

     It's the official marble game by which the marble-shooting champion of the United States will be chosen in the nationwide tournament of The Press and Its associated newspapers.

     Ringer was chosen as the official game of the first nationwide tournament by a committee of playground and recreation experts and representatives of the co-operating newspapers.

     The choice of Ringer was unanimous, because it is a test of skill, it is scientific, and brings out the greatest sportsmanship in marble' playing.

SKILL ALONE WELL DECIDE

     Other games were considered, and a demonstration held to show how each is played. Luck and endurance figured more largely in other games, and they were dropped. Ringer reduces the element of luck to the minimum. It puts all marble players in the country on their merits. It assures the championship to the best player.

     One specific game was made the official game of the tournament in order to eliminate confusion, and last-minute misunderstandings similar to those which arose in intercity play last year.

TWO CHAMPS PLAY DIFFERENT GAMES

     The Washington champion had accepted a challenge from Portsmouth Va.-- When the battle was about to start, it was discovered the Virginia boy had won his laurels at "Ringer," and the Washington idol at ''Fat.'' After much argument, it was agreed to play a game of each, and to toss for the choice of a third game. The Washington lad won the toss -- and the contest.

     There will be no toss of a coin thin year to decide the national championship. All contestants must play Ringer to quality.

STALLING HELD UP A DECISION

     Here is an example of how luck and endurance govern in Fat. A game was commenced one afternoon at 3:30, with six playground champions competing. After four were eliminated, the remaining two kept out of each other's range by keeping a safe distance away, often as far as 60 feet. They see-sawed for nearly four hours, the game finally being called on account of darkness.

     In the play-off, next day, one of the boys because careless and was "knocked' off." It is not possible to stall along in that way in Ringer.

     The rules of Ringer are very simple. They will be easily understood by boys and girls alike. (Girls, you know, are eligible in the contest.) Watch for the official rules to The Press.

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