Croquet is an exciting outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. It’s an easy game to learn but takes time and practice to master.
In this beginner’s guide to croquet, you will learn how to play, the equipment needed, the basics of playing, scoring, and how to win the game.
Whether you’re looking to have some fun outdoors with your family or challenge friends to a friendly match of croquet, this article will help you understand the basics of the game.
A Brief Overview of Croquet
Croquet is a sport that originated in Ireland in the 1800s and is still played today all around the world. The game’s objective is to move six hoops and two balls around a grass court using wooden mallets. There are multiple types of croquet games; however, the most common match is lawn croquet which consists of up to six players.
For example, a six-player croquet set typically includes nine wickets, six colored balls, two wooden mallets, and a winning post. Before beginning the game, each player chooses a ball color, aligns the wickets in numerical order, and sets up the winning post at the end of the course. Players then stand behind the starting wicket and wait until they receive permission to start the game.
Types of Croquet
The two most popular types of croquet are:
Association Croquet
This type of croquet involves hitting various shots throughout the game, such as long roquets, breaks, and leave shots. This type of croquet is much more complex than regular lawn croquet and can take longer. It’s usually played as singles, doubles, or teams and requires a much larger playing area.
Golf Croquet
This type of croquet combines elements of regular lawn croquet with golf rules. It’s much easier to learn than Association Croquet, as only one shot is required per hoop. Golf Croquet can be played as singles or doubles with teams consisting of two players instead of four, like in Association Croquet. This game is also much quicker than its predecessor. It takes less than an hour to finish depending on the number of players.
Croquet Rules
Before beginning a game of croquet, there are specific rules that players must follow:
- You can only have one ball per turn.
- When a ball passes through a hoop, it must be in the correct direction (either clockwise or counter-clockwise).
- When a player’s ball strikes another player’s ball during the game, the player’s ball should remain where it stopped after contact was made.
- When a player’s ball passes entirely over the boundary line (outside of the court), it should be placed back on a line perpendicular to where it passed out and two feet away from where it left.
In Conclusion
Croquet is a fun and exciting game that all ages can enjoy. It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require special skills, and is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. Its mix of strategy and skill makes it the perfect game for friendly competition. Whether playing a casual game or participating in a tournament, croquet keeps you entertained for hours. So, grab your mallet and get ready to have some fun.
