Parlor Polo

A 19th century indoor game designed to simulate the sport of Polo. It was described, with rules, in "The Young Folks' Cyclopædia of Games and Sports" (John D Champlin & Arthur E Bostwick), published in 1890 by Henry Holt & Co of New York [hence the US spelling. 'Parlor']. Played on a 15×19 grid of squares, which are shaded alternately like a draughts / checkers board, play taking place only on the shaded squares. The game has some resemblance to more modern games such as Bladder and Phutball, and is one of several 'Parlor' simulations from the same source, the others being Base Ball, Croquet, Quoits, [Horse] Race, and Ten Pins. Players may move any of their six men on the board, with the aim of securing and advancing a thirteenth piece, representing the ball, into the opponent's goal, but the distance that can be moved is determined by the throw of dice.