There are a number of indoor skill games which can be played on an ordinary folding card table 30 in. square, so long as it has tight, sound joints. In fact some games, such as indoor tether ball, for example, require a square stand to accelerate the play. Furthermore, many floor games will demand an interesting change in techniques when raised to table height. For example, ring toss on a table will call for a new throwing angle which will prove initially confusing to seasoned players, and experts at tossing cards into a hat on the floor, can often be reduced to speechless rage when the target is raised some 30 in.

On the other hand, many of the snap, cue, mallet, or rolling games require a longer playing surface, such as a rectangular dining table. The most long suffering of mothers, however, cannot be expected to welcome a project which is certain to abuse her polished table top, however unintentionally. Even commercial table top "protectors" seldom offer a smooth, even surface for the highly competitive play which will develop.

The ideal solution is a single, removable sheet of hardboard having a smooth, polished surface, such as Presdwood, Masonite, or the like. For the average table 42 in. by 62 in. without leaves, a sheet of hardboard 31/2 ft. wide and 5 ft. long is not too large to store against a closet wall, or behind a china cabinet or certain styles of large buffets. True, a longer game is more exciting, but each 18-in. leaf added to the table will make the single piece top more cumbersome to store away.

An additional advantage offered by a removable game top is that the targets of such games as shuffleboard, bullboard, and other snapping or tossing games, can be permanently painted on the surface of the board, together with spots for the location of croquet wickets, golf courses, and the like. The smooth surface can be waxed to speed up the play, and the table top can be protected from the rougher side by an old blanket or a ragged luncheon cloth. The gameboard can of course be placed on the floor when mallets or long cues are used.