Croquet Game Rules & Setup

For a good time in the backyard, it's hard to beat a game of croquet. The object is simple: Navigate your croquet ball through various wickets and be the first player to hit the stake at the end of the course. The rules are simple to follow, and the game doesn't take long to set up, even for larger yards.

  1. Game Setup

    • A standard nine-wicket croquet game is set up using what is referred to as the "double diamond" pattern. Two stakes are placed at either end of the field of play, with two wickets set up directly in front of each stake. From there, two more wickets are set up well ahead of the stake, one off to the right, the other to the left and even with the far right wicket. This is done at both ends of the field. The ninth and final wicket is placed directly in the center of the playing area. When completed, the field should be as close to symmetrical as possible for the purpose of fairness.

    Game Play

    • Since most sets come with at least four croquet mallets and four colored balls, the game can be played individually or in teams of two. Players must make their way around the course by hitting their ball through the wickets. They begin by playing through the two wickets in front of the stake, then navigating the third wicket, which is located in front and to the right. They then play through the center wicket, followed by the fifth wicket, located ahead and to the right. Once they play through the final two wickets, located in front of the opposing stump, they play their ball off the stump and head back the other way, following the same pattern until they return to their own stake. Each time a player clears a wicket, she is given another turn.

    Scoring

    • The object of the game is to score the most points. One point is awarded for each pass through a wicket in the proper direction and order, and an additional point is given out for hitting the stake. On a nine-wicket field, each player must pass through seven wickets twice and hit both stumps for a maximum of 16 points. The winning team will always finish with 16 points, while the losing team ends up with 15 or fewer points. In doubles, points can only be scored if both players knock their ball through a given wicket.

    Bonuses and Roqueting

    • If a player hits through more than one wicket in a turn, he is given two bonus shots, which must be taken immediately. The other way bonus hits are earned is through a roquet, which occurs when a player's ball hits a ball belonging to an opponent. A player can do one of several things on a roquet. He may use his two bonus hits right away, or move the ball a mallet-head away from the opposing ball and play two bonus hits. He can choose to place his ball next to his opponent's ball, hit both in one direction and then play one bonus shot. Finally, he can put the balls together, place his foot on top of his own ball, hit the ball with the mallet and send the opposing ball as far away from a wicket as possible.