In some areas of the Western United States
a simple form of http://www.playcroquet.com/index.php>croquet
is being played, one different than the
traditional competitive forms of croquet.
This type of croquet is often called Poison,
and is a favorite of amateur or casual croquet
players. Poison croquet is played with the
standard nine wicket http://www.playcroquet.com/index.php>croquet
set. It can be played by 2,3,4,5, or 6 players.
It has similar rules to American backyard
croquet; however, it differs from other
styles of croquet, in that no points are
scored. The players all start at the same
end of the nine-wicket croquet playing field,
instead of having an equal number of players
beginning at opposing sides. The order of
the game follows the order of the colors
on the croquet mallet with the corresponding
ball color of each player. Rather than competing
for points, or which “team” can complete
the course first, with all of their croquet
balls, the players compete to see who can
become poison first, and eliminate all of
the other players.
A player becomes poison by hitting his
or her ball through all nine wickets and
striking the stick at end. Once a player’s
ball becomes poison, any ball that they
hit with their “poison” ball, is eliminated
from the game. The goal is to eliminate
all of the other players from the game
by hitting them with the poison ball.
The last player left in the game wins.
Other traditional rules of backyard
or American croquet still apply. The ball
must be hit forward through each wicket,
rather than going through from the back
end or from the opposing direction. An
extra hit is gained for each wicket, through
which a ball is hit; only one extra hit
can be gained from each wicket. An extra
hit is also gained by hitting the ball
of another player. After the other player’s
ball is hit, the player who hit the other
player’s ball has two options: he may
place his ball next to the other player’s
ball, put his foot on his own ball, and
knock the other player’s ball out of
play by striking his own ball; or he may
simply take another hit towards the next
wicket.
Once a player has become poison, the
other players can still become poison
and win the game, although it is much
more difficult. The other players still
just have to finish the course and hit
the stake at the end with their ball,
but must do it without allowing the player
who is currently poison to strike their
ball with his or hers. If two or more
players are poison, the player who hits
his ball into the other’s first, wins
(similar to marbles); or at least that
player who was hit by a poison ball is
out of the game. Once all players are
eliminated, except one, the game is over
and the final remaining player wins the
game.
Poison croquet is popular among amateur
croquet and yard game players because
of its casual play and simple rules. One
advantage of poison croquet is that it
can be played on nearly any type of terrain.
Like American or backyard nine-wicket
croquet, poison croquet is traditionally
played in any grass field, long or tall,
thick or thin. However, poison croquet
can also be played on other terrains to
make it more interesting or to just change
things. It can be played on a more rugged
terrain or playing field with obstacles
rather than being limited to a professional
or well-groomed playing field.
Peter Jay is a yard game enthusiast
with Yard Game Central and a manager and
web administrator with http://www.playcroquet.com/index.php>Play
Croquet. For information about a http://www.playcroquet.com/index.php>croquet
sets, visit www.PlayCroquet.com.
