How to Play the Lawn Croquet Game
Croquet is a game of tactics where each player tries to steer their ball through a course of hoops while trying to send their opponent's balls off course. Derived from the French game "pall mall," croquet is played all over the world. The game can be played under Association rules or American rules. Under American rules the game is always played in pairs and the colored balls played in a set order.
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Things You'll Need
- Four croquet mallets
- Six steel hoops
- Four wooden balls colored black, blue, red and yellow
- Finishing stake
- Large flat lawn
Instructions
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1
Place the center peg in the middle of a large flat lawn and position two hoops either side in a line. Place the remaining four hoops near each corner of the lawn. Each of the four players has a mallet. In doubles games the black and blue balls always play as a pair against the red and yellow balls. Each player must play their own ball for the duration of the game.
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Hit the balls through the hoops to reach the center peg in a set order before your opponents get there. If you're playing under American rules the player with the blue ball goes first, followed by the players with the red, black and then yellow balls. Each player is allowed one hit per turn, unless she hits another ball. No player can touch the ball with her hand or foot.
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3
Aim to get your balls through the hoops before your opponents. Every time you do this you will earn a point and an extra turn. A colored clip, corresponding to your ball, is placed on top of the hoop to show which hoop the player is aiming for next. In Association rules you must complete the course twice. To win your ball must strike the center peg so the ball becomes "pegged-out." If another player causes your ball to hit the peg after you have been through the six hoops you still win.
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4
Perform a "rouquet" to move your opponent's balls out of the way. Strike a ball on the other team with your ball so that it moves. Pick up your ball and place it next to your opponent's then hit your ball so the other ball moves. You can then have another turn.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Croquet Player image by Yali Shi from Fotolia.com
