Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Croquet: Fun for All Ages by Very Best Games


The rules of croquet are fairly easy to follow. They can vary somewhat at the competitive level, but for the typical backyard players, the basic rules remain the same and are easy to follow. Much like the game of golf, players must take turns hitting the balls towards a series of targets. Instead of holes the balls are hit through u-shaped wickets, usually a set of nine. This is accomplished with long, wooden mallets. Generally, croquet can be played by two to six players. Players can be divided into teams, or play "cutthroat" against each other individually. Sometimes the wickets are laid out in a certain pattern, though many times casual players place them wherever they wish. Like golf, the terrain can be used to provide natural hazards and obstacles. There are two stakes which are setup at the beginning and end of the croquet course. The order of play is usually determined the order of colors on the end post. Each competitor has a mallet and ball with corresponding colors.

Two wickets are placed in front of the first stake, marking the start of the course. Players must hit their ball through the first two wickets and then proceed to the next wicket. Generally, the course is circular, meaning the competitors follow the wickets around one direction to the second stake, hit the ball through the other two wickets to that stake, and then take an opposite route back to the first stake to complete the round. To win the game, a player or team must achieve the highest number of points. Points are awarded for every wicket passed through in the correct order and direction.