What is Poison Croquet?Written by Peter Jay
In some areas of Western United States a simple form of croquet is being played, one different than 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 standard nine wicket 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 same end of nine-wicket croquet playing field, instead of having an equal number of players beginning at opposing sides. The order of game follows order of colors on croquet mallet with corresponding ball color of each player. Rather than competing for points, or which “team” can complete course first, with all of their croquet balls, players compete to see who can become poison first, and eliminate all of other players. A player becomes poison by hitting his or her ball through all nine wickets and striking stick at end. Once a player’s ball becomes poison, any ball that they hit with their “poison” ball, is eliminated from game. The goal is to eliminate all of other players from game by hitting them with poison ball. The last player left in 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 back end or from 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 ball of another player. After other player’s ball is hit, player who hit other player’s ball has two options: he may place his ball next to other player’s ball, put his foot on his own ball, and knock other player’s ball out of play by striking his own ball; or he may simply take another hit towards next wicket.
| | What is Poison Croquet?Written by Peter Jay
In some areas of Western United States a simple form of croquet is being played, one different than 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 standard nine wicket 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 same end of nine-wicket croquet playing field, instead of having an equal number of players beginning at opposing sides. The order of game follows order of colors on croquet mallet with corresponding ball color of each player. Rather than competing for points, or which “team” can complete course first, with all of their croquet balls, players compete to see who can become poison first, and eliminate all of other players. A player becomes poison by hitting his or her ball through all nine wickets and striking stick at end. Once a player’s ball becomes poison, any ball that they hit with their “poison” ball, is eliminated from game. The goal is to eliminate all of other players from game by hitting them with poison ball. The last player left in 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 back end or from 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 ball of another player. After other player’s ball is hit, player who hit other player’s ball has two options: he may place his ball next to other player’s ball, put his foot on his own ball, and knock other player’s ball out of play by striking his own ball; or he may simply take another hit towards next wicket.
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