Getting Started with Croquet
This game can be played by 2, 3 or 4 players using 4 balls
If you have 4 players they can play for themselves or in 2 teams of 2.
If you have 3 players, then 2 will play against 1.
The best surface is short grass and level. You can play on the beach as well.
The diagram shows a standard double diamond rectangular court. Adapt the space you have available.You hit the ball with the flat side of the mallet. Stand with your feet apart. Hold the mallet with both hands and swing. Just practise hitting a ball through the hoops and hitting other balls on the lawn.
Following the diagram set up 9 hoops, a starting peg, and a turning peg.The object of the game is to get your side’s balls through all the hoops in the right order (see numbers on the diagram) and hit the pegs. The fun starts when your ball hits another ball. You can send your opponents’ balls all over the lawn, making it harder for them to get them through the right hoops.
So you don’t get lost, get a different coloured clothes peg for each coloured ball and put them on the hoops to remind you what hoop you will be aiming at next.
Play the balls in this order: green, red, black and yellow.
SINGLES – 2 players
One person plays all the balls of one side. Blue and black versus red and yellow.
DOUBLES
In doubles, two players per side, each plays one ball.
One side plays blue/black. The other side plays red/yellow.
If you have 3 players, one player will play blue, one will play black. The 3rd player will play red and yellow.3 or 4 players can also play by themselves to win.
Ready to play
Decide who will go first or toss a coin.
Remember the order of play is green, red, black, and yellow.
Place the green ball a metre in front of the PEG. The player tries to get it through the hoop.
Green plays again if it goes through the hoop.
You take a bonus stroke every time your ball goes through the right hoop or hits the pegs.
You get 2 extra goes if you hit another ball with your ball.
You can leave the balls where they come to rest and take a second stroke at your ball
OR you may take the second ball and place it next to and touching yours (the one you are playing) and with one stroke you send the 2 balls in the same or different directions.
OR you can put your opponent’s ball down next to yours, and with your foot on your ball to hold it still, send the other ball where you want to.
Then you take another stroke with your ball.
The winners are the first to get their 1 or 2 balls around the course.
You must not hit another ball with your mallet.
If a ball goes into the bushes, you must place it in the nearest place on the lawn where you can play it.
If you like this game and decide you want to play croquet seriously, you can join a club where you can learn a more advanced game.