Introduction to Croquet: A Fun and Social Lawn Game
North Texas is now home to a croquet bar and restaurant, possibly the start to a trend in bar games in Dallas-Fort Worth.
If you’re headed to Fort Worth to take your best shot at Stewart’s, or if you’ve wondered how to play croquet in a friend’s backyard, it’s time to learn the rules of this lawn game. Good news: You can learn while you play.
Number of Players and Game Versions
Croquet can be played with as few as two people and as many as six, according to the official rules from The Croquet Association. But you can always have more. The more people who play, the longer it might take.
Association Croquet and Golf Croquet are the two most common versions of the game, according to the World Croquet Federation. At Stewart’s in Fort Worth, they play a version of six-ball croquet.
Restaurant News and Trends
Restaurant News
Related: Are croquet bars the next thing? Fort Worth has one, the sporty, new Stewart’s
History and Objective of the Game
Interestingly, croquet isn’t a sport recognized by the Olympics anymore; it hasn’t been played in the Olympic Games since 1900.
The purpose: To get your ball through the wickets (hoops), in the correct order, before opponents.
Gameplay and Rules
At its simplest, the striker, or the person whose turn it is to hit the ball, gets one shot. Their purpose is to hit the ball through the wicket or hit another ball. In some sets of rules, the striker gets a second turn if they score a wicket.
The stance: Players hold a mallet and hit a ball, similar to golf, but the swing is not exactly the same. Some involve swinging the mallet across the hips while others show an amusing through-the-legs move, like you’re swinging a kettlebell. Here are some croquet swing options.
Attire and Equipment
The attire: Croquet players sometimes wear white. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule — but it could be a fun guideline if you like a theme.
When it comes to shoes, anything goes. You’ll be outside, standing in grass. One guy in this YouTube video is wearing flip flops.
Strategy and Attitude
The attitude: ABC Australia called croquet “a nasty game for nice people.” The retirees in the video say their game can get “aggressive,” and that understanding the strategy of the game is more important than skill.
See? We knew you wanted to learn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, croquet is a fun and social lawn game that can be played with friends and family. With its simple rules and various versions, it’s a great game for people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re playing at a croquet bar or in your own backyard, croquet is a great way to spend time outdoors and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about croquet:
Q: How many players can play croquet?
A: Croquet can be played with as few as two people and as many as six.
Q: What are the different versions of croquet?
A: The two most common versions of croquet are Association Croquet and Golf Croquet.
Q: What is the objective of the game?
A: The objective of the game is to get your ball through the wickets (hoops) in the correct order before your opponents.
Q: Do I need to wear special attire to play croquet?
A: No, you don’t need to wear special attire to play croquet, but players often wear white as a fun guideline.
Q: Is croquet a difficult game to learn?
A: No, croquet is not a difficult game to learn, and you can learn while you play.
