There is more than one form of Croquet that can be played.
Association Croquet
Association Croquet is the older more traditional form of croquet which takes a little longer to learn to play than Golf Croquet.
It is usual for new players to start with Golf Croquet and then move to this classic form of the game as it poses more challenges and requires players to play a wider range of shots.
It is usual for new players to start with Golf Croquet and then move to this classic form of the game as it poses more challenges and requires players to play a wider range of shots.
In this form of the game, players attempt to get two balls through ALL of the hoops twice before hitting the central peg. There are 6 hoops and players go through them first in one direction, and then in the other. With one point for each hoop and one for the peg (and two balls per side), the maximum number of points for a win is 26.
One player at a time plays their balls on the lawn until their turn comes to an end. The opponent then has a turn. The two sides thus have alternate turns.
This form of the game is unique in that it allows a player to hit one ball onto another (termed a roquet), and then to place the hit ball against the other ball and play another shot from there (termed a croquet shot). The player is then allowed one more shot. This gives a sequence of three shots can be played successively. If yet another ball, which has not earlier been hit, is roqueted, then the sequence can start all over again. If a player makes the next hoop for a ball, then it is as if the turn starts all over again.
By this means it is possible for a good player to make one hoop after another in a single turn. The term for this is a “break”, and the aim for all players is therefore to make breaks, get both balls to the peg, and do this before the opponent can.
Games can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours which is the normal time for a game. The player who “pegs out” both balls or is ahead on points at the end of time, wins the game.
Games can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours which is the normal time for a game. The player who “pegs out” both balls or is ahead on points at the end of time, wins the game.
There are simple Association Croquet rules here
Golf Croquet
This is a much simpler and faster form of the game, developed in Egypt which has now become popular all around the world. There is constant action as all players (whether two or four) are in action all through the game.
The game can be played either as singles, where each player plays two balls, or as doubles, where a player plays one coloured ball throughout the game.
The game can be played either as singles, where each player plays two balls, or as doubles, where a player plays one coloured ball throughout the game.
Taking turns, players try to be the first to get their ball (or one of their two balls if singles) through the the six hoops in order. After going around the course once, the direction is reversed. The first individual or team to score 7 points is declared the winner although games can be played to the best of 13 or 19 points if a longer game is required.
Like in Associaton Croquet, there are a lot of tactics involved in the game with stopping an opponent scoring sometimes being as important in your turn as making a hoop. So there is a lot of play involving getting in front of other players and blocking them from getting thru the hoop to score or knocking their balls away.
A game of first to 7 points usually takes 30-40 minutes to play and so it is possible to enjoy a number of games in a Club session.
Indoor Croquet
Both Association and Golf Croquet can be played indoor on a small lawn (special carpet) using pool/snooker type balls and lighter mallets.
We have two lawns for indoor play during winter months. Check in the Club Info section for days when we play.
We have two lawns for indoor play during winter months. Check in the Club Info section for days when we play.
