eleven-man ballot
Quick Summary
The "eleven-man ballot" is a variation of the game of checkers. In this version, one playing piece is removed by lot from each side before the game begins, making it a less popular method of play compared to unrestricted openings.1
Checkers is a two-player board game played on a board of 64 squares, similar to a chessboard. Each player starts with 12 disk-shaped pieces. The game is played on the dark squares, and pieces advance diagonally. Capturing an opponent's piece involves jumping over it to an adjacent vacant square. If a piece reaches the opponent's back row, it becomes a "king" and gains the ability to move and capture backward. A player wins by capturing all of the opponent's pieces or by blocking them so they cannot move. A draw occurs when neither player can force a victory.1
Checkers has ancient origins, with similar games played as early as 1600 BC. The game evolved over centuries, with the rule compelling capture being added by the 16th century. Modern computer analysis has confirmed that with optimal play, checkers will always end in a draw.1
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