Dan is a writer living in Shanghai, China.
May 27 07
Look what I bought: Kang Le Qiu (康乐球)
I have been interested in the Chinese billiards-type game kang le qiu (康乐球) since the first time I saw the game being played in Hongkou District back in 2003. But it kind of slipped my mind over the past three-plus years ... until I saw this photo recently on th Shanghaiist Contribute Page. So, I immediately went over to Taobao.com and saw this — and bought it.
I haven't played it yet, though ... because I am not quite clear on the rules. Here's the rules that appeared on Taobao:
游戏规则：1、 打排子
将1号、2号、3号、4号棋子分别放在球盘边框旁的黑框内，每一边放七个， 近洞口顶端各放一个棋子，游戏者站在要打的号 的对面，各自打自己的号 ，游戏者只能将大子（上海地区俗称老板）放在 近自己一边的黑线上，也可以放在自己一边的左右黑圈内，游戏者打进一个子可以继续打，如果大子和棋子一起进洞，或者没打进洞则将发球权交给下一位，看谁先将子打完就算获胜。
2、 打团子
将32个棋子放在棋盘中间的黑圆圈内，每个游戏者站在棋盘的洞口边，游戏时只能将大子放在 近洞口的黑圈上击打中间的棋子，打进一个棋子可以连续打，如果没有打进则将发球权交给另一位，直到棋子全部打完，谁的子最多的一方即获胜。
I don't read Chinese, though. So here is the Google Translate version:
Rules of the game : 1, Chepaizi playing No. 1, No. 2, 3 and 4 respectively pawn on the ball near the plate rim black-framed, 7 up on each side near the top of the cave up a pawn in the game were at the forefront of the fight opposite number, each one's own numbers, players can only be great son (commonly known as the boss in Shanghai) on the near side of the black line. can be placed on their side of the black circle around, players enter a son can continue to fight, If the big hammer and piece together entrance, or no access hole will be indispensable to the next one. Let's see who is cheating even if the first-won. 2, will fight Tuanzi 32 pawn on the chessboard of the black middle circle, each game stands chessboard of the hole edge, games will only son on the big black hole near the circle hit a pawn in the middle, moved into a pawn consecutive fight, Without access will be given the right to serve another one until all pawn cheating, whose son is one of the most won.
Perhaps you see my confusion, great son. Can anyone help?