Chinese Handball - Ace-King-Queen

Ace-King-Queen

In some versions of Ace-King-Queen, players have their own squares, in others the "court"(usually improvised) is shared.

With more than two players, each player has a place in the order. In some versions this order is enacted down the wall with each player having their own square. As the ball bounces off the wall from the previous player, the next player must reach it and make a legal shot. That player would either return the ball (the same way) back to the server or another player down the line. The line consists of 2 to 20 players, with the first player being the "Ace". The second player is the "King" and the third is the "Queen". The final player in line is known as an "Ace Killer" because of his opportune position to take out the "Ace". In some versions a player may continue to hit the ball in his own box as long as he desires. This leads to set up shots where smaller and smaller bounces produce a difficult 'baby' shot that is sent to the next box. Alternatively, low, long strokes develop a hard to return power shot to another box, or 'Baltimore Chops' a high bouncing shot. Some local rules may vary such as an 'Ace' knocked out of the lead box does not get a letter.

If a ball takes an erratic bounce due to a crack, or obstacle, on the court a player may call 'Hindoo' (from 'hinder' in Handball) and the ball is replayed with no letter assigned, though some play the court as it is, with no recourse.

Any player failing to eventually return a ball from his box into another box receives a letter ('K', then 'I', then 'N', when he has the previous letter) and goes to the end of the line. At each change of position there is normally a shout out of each player from the 'Ace' stating his letters. In some yards, when a player has all the letters that spell 'KINGS' the game is over and the losing player must face the penalty known as 'asses up' which consists of the losing player bending over with his head against the wall and his buttocks up while each of the other players take turns having three throws of the ball from across the street at the loser's buttocks, any hit on the buttocks (legs and back do not count as a hit) gives everyone another turn of three throws. Not a game for the fainthearted.