Sonoma/Oxforshire Croquet Association

1. Sonoma Oxfordshire 6-Wicket Lawn Croquet Association Official Rules
These rules relate to Croquet with 6 Wickets, 6 Balls and 1 Finish Stake; with Poison.
Technical Terms
1. Striker: The side playing a turn is called the striker.
2. Striker Ball: The ball in play for the side playing a turn.
3. Roquet: To roquet a ball is to cause your ball, by a stroke of the mallet, to come in contact with
another.
4. Croquet: To strike one’s own ball when in contact with a roqueted-ball, where the player is allowed to
put their foot on their own ball and with their mallet, drive the striker ball against the roqueted-ball
and send it in any direction.
5. Roquet-Croquet: strike one’s own ball when in contact with a roqueted-ball, but it is not necessary to
put one’s foot upon the ball, as the player may drive the striker ball against the roqueted-ball, sending
both in any direction.
6. Purgatory: An area of The Lawn that places a croqueted ball in a difficult circumstance.
7. BPC = ‘By-Player-Consensus’: In some instances, where there are viable options to consider,
Association rules can be further defined by player vote, prior to the start of a match.
8. All disputes shall be settled in accordance with the Marquess of Queensbury Protocols.
The Object of the Game
The game is played by 2 to 6 sides. Each side is made up of either 1 player per side (singles) or 2 players per
side (doubles). The red/yellow/orange balls always play the blue/black/green balls. Competition can play 1 or
2 balls per side BPC.
There are 2 phases to the game. The first phase is to race your opponent(s) around The Lawn. Clockwise or
counter-clockwise tracking is acceptable BPC. The balls are moved around the circuit, by hitting them with a
mallet, each wicket made in the correct order and direction; and onto the Finish Stake. Any striker ball hitting
the Finish Stake prior to scoring Rover wicket shall start over at 1-back wicket. Any ball can be croqueted into
the Finish Stake and sent back to the start. Once the Finish Stake is scored after passing the Rover wicket; that
ball becomes Poison. The second phase and the object the game is to eliminate the opponent side(s). Any ball
that is Poison can eliminate any other ball from the game, including other Poison balls, by Roqueting. This is
referred to as the Death-Blow. The final ball left on The Lawn is The Winner.
Typical Lawn Layout
The Lawn Rules
Flora is in play:
1. Santa Rosa Lawn: Sycamore & other trees’ exfoliation.
2. Prior to the start of a match, removal of tree limbs, twigs, leaves,
tree bark, flotsam, etc. from the lawn is allowed. Once a match is
commenced, movement of any flora is an infraction with penalty
loss of turn. (Exception: Removal of the fruit of the Sycamore tree
may be removed at any time without penalty.)
3. Fauna can be “ruled in play”, BPC.

2. Out of Bounds (OB)
OB is determined by where the ball comes to rest. A striker ball may cross over OB edging but come to rest on
the Lawn and be ruled In-Bounds. A ball is OB if it ends up atop of or beyond; the boundary line, concrete
edging or patio, and is not cushioned by any Flora. Flora cushioning can prevent a ball from being ruled OB on
Santa Rosa concrete edging and brick patio. When a striker ball goes OB it is at once placed, at player
discretion, anywhere within 1 mallet-head from where it crossed the boundary. Turn is over and play is
resumed. Striker loses next turn as penalty for going OB.
Santa Rosa, Sonoma Lawn
1. Back Lawn: Concrete perimeter edging and brick patio areas. Note that Purgatory is to the
south of wicket 4; between concrete edging and beyond the fence posts; with all lawn area
in play extending into golf course/18th
hole rough.
In the Poison phase of the match, Purgatory cannot be used as an area to escape Final
Judgment. When play commences in the Poison phase of the game, the boundary is an
imaginary line between the 2 golf course boundary fence posts.
2. Front Lawn: Same OB as Back Lawn and between Wicket 1 and 2 is the drop off to the
Abyss/Oak Meadow Drive. Concrete edging along the abyss is playable.
Open Field
1. No out of bounds with open boundaries in large field, BPC.
Who Goes First
a. A CoinToss is used to determine which side goes first: Each side flips a coin on the lawn and
“Heads” always wins. Continue CoinToss until winner position is determined. In continuing or
Tournament Play, the previous match results are used to determine order: Win goes first, Place
goes second, Show goes third, etc.
b. CoinToss plays in reverse order with winner going last
c. Rock-Paper-Scissors
d. Whatever…there is no particular advantage in being first, second or fifth
e. If a side has not been played, anyone is welcome to become a player and join a match in progress.
Color determines order. Colors are shown on Finishing Stake: Top to Bottom-First to Last:
BBLLUUEE,, RREEDD,, BBLLAACCKK,, YYEELLLLOOWW,, GGRREEEENN,, OORRAANNGGEE
The Striker
At the beginning of a turn the striker has 1 shot. After that shot the turn ends, unless extra shots are earned.
Then it is the opponents turn to play. Player must never strike any ball other than the striker ball. If the
striker's mallet accidentally hits another ball other than the striker ball, the shot must be replayed, but with no
loss of turn. Balls played out of turn accrue no penalty. Balls are returned to status quo ante (the situation
before the error occurred.) If an out of turn is initially condoned (not discovered) but then later discovered,
only the last ball played out of turn is replaced and the correct ball then proceeds.
The striker must play using the mallet only, and must not play a stroke while touching any ball with hand or
foot. The striker must strike the ball with one of the mallet's two striking faces, never with a side face or the
shaft. (The exception is when a striker cannot back swing the mallet in the proper manner because of
interference with a wicket, another ball or stake, the striker may hit the ball with the corner or beveled edge
of the striking surface.)

3. The striker must strike the ball cleanly and only once during the stroke. Ball-pushing is not allowed. Every
stroke counts no matter how slightly the ball moves. If the striker hits the ground on his swing and the ball
does not move that counts as a stroke. If the striker takes a swing at his/her ball and misses entirely, the miss
counts as a stroke. In each of these scenarios the turn ends, unless the striker had a second "bonus" shot. The
striker can roquet their own and/or partner ball(s) but does not gain bonus strokes.
Speed of Play and Beverages
In order to move the match along, players shall take their drinks with them on the Lawn. If a fellow player has
set their cocktail upon the Lawn, it is the striker’s responsibility to not knock it over. The striker must warn
player(s) that their drink(s) are in jeopardy. If a beverage is knocked over; the striker loses a turn and must go
make the offended player another cocktail. If more than 1 beverage is involved, number of drinks spilled =
number of lost turns.
Speed of Play and Absences
A player shall not leave the Lawn during a match unless nature calls. Chronic absences of more than 1 minute,
BPC can be addressed by having a “stand-in” act as striker or loss of turn.
To Begin Play
To start, place striker ball 1 mallet-club length behind wicket 1 and attempt to pass through the first wicket
with the mallet face striking the ball. If the striker ball does not pass through wicket 1, it is picked-up to give a
clear shot to following players. Player to attempt to score wicket 1 on their next turn with ball placed at 1
mallet-club length behind wicket 1 as in the first go. A ball which has cleared wicket 1 and is struck by a
starting shot will remain in situ. The striker is awarded a continuation or bonus stroke by scoring a wicket, so
long as no ball went OB during that stroke. The bonus stroke is played as the ball lies.
Scoring a Wicket
A has not started to score the wicket.
B has started to score the wicket.
C has not scored the wicket.
D has scored the wicket.

4. Roqueting
A. A hit is not a roquet if either ball has not yet scored the first wicket. After roqueting, a player is awarded 2-
bonus strokes and there are 4-Options:
1. Take 2 bonus strokes from wherever striker ball lands.
2. Place striker ball a single mallet head’s length away from the roqueted-ball, in any direction chosen.
2-bonus strokes remaining
3. Croquet: 1-bonus stroke remaining.
4. Roquet-Croquet: 1-bonus stroke remaining.
B. If a striker ball roquets 1 or more balls, player may use whichever ball they select for Option 2 or 4, or it may
croquet as many balls as it strikes; but this allows for only 1 bonus stroke. If one of the several balls roqueted
is croqueted, all of the balls must be croqueted.
C. A ball may be roqueted only once per turn to earn bonus strokes. The striker ball is said to become “dead”
on the roquet ball until the striker scores another wicket in the proper direction. Deadness carries over from
turn to turn. Once the wicket is scored, the striker becomes “alive” and is able to roquet the ball(s) again. If a
striker roquets a ball he/she is dead on turn is over.
D. During a roquet, if any ball other than the striker ball goes OB, turn is ended with OB-ball(s) returned 1
mallet-head in from OB.
E. If the striker ball goes OB after a roquet, the striker may return the striker ball from OB to the lawn and play
option 2, 3 or 4.
F. A player may roquet more than one ball per turn between wickets.
Croqueting or Roquet-Croqueting
1. In the croquet shot the strike must shoot into the croqueted ball. The croqueted ball must visibly move
or shake. Striker ball must be in contact with the roquet ball. Failure to move the croqueted ball is a
fault and the balls are replaced and it is end of turn.
2. If the striker ball moves after a croquet, there is no penalty and the second bonus stroke is played from
where the ball comes to rest.
3. Croqueting or roquet-croqueting a ball or the striker ball OB loses any bonus shots and 1 turn. Balls
struck OB are to be placed 1-mallett head in from where it crossed the boundary and play is resumed.
Shots
1. Any ball that contacts the Finish Stake prior to scoring the Rover wicket shall start the game over.
2. Any ball croqueted (or roqueted-croqueted) into the Finish Stake will start the game over, even if the
ball has scored the Rover wicket.
3. If a striker hits his shot OB this results in 1 losss of turn. All striker boundary balls measured in 1 mallet-
head from where they crossed into OB and play is resumed.
4. The striker ball going through a wicket out of order or in the wrong direction is of no consequence.
5. Bonus shots are not cumulative. Scoring a wicket voids previously earned bonus strokes.
6. If a striker ball scores a wicket and then hits another ball in the same shot, the striker earns a
continuation shot for clearing the wicket but is not awarded a roquet. That is, the striker ball cannot
both score a wicket and make a roquet on the same stroke. Whichever happens first takes precedence.
7. If the striker ball scores a wicket during a croquet or roquet-croquet stroke, only one continuation
stroke is earned.
8. No continuation stroke is earned if the striker’s ball makes a roquet during a croquet or roquet-croquet
stroke, the roquet requiring that the striker immediately play a croquet stroke.

5. Poison
1. When a striker ball becomes Poison it is removed from play at that time. On the next turn Poison is in
play. Poison is placed 1 mallet head from the finish stake and attempts to roquet the opponent ball(s).
2. Poison has only 1 shot per turn and is not awarded any bonus shots.
3. Poison is eliminated if they pass through a wicket, hit the finish stake or go OB. Poison is eliminated if it
is struck by another ball causing it to traverse a wicket, go OB or hit the finish stake (a suicide attack if
done by a ball that is not declared to be poison).
4. If poison ball is struck and contacts multiple balls, all balls are eliminated.
5. If poison ball is struck and contacts 1 or multiple balls and then subsequently goes out of bounds, hits
the finish stake or goes through a wicket; poison ball is also eliminated. If this occurs on the final shot
and none of the struck balls are poison balls, all players are then eliminated and there is no declared
winner. Who goes first in subsequent game is determined by standard protocols as outlined in “Who
Goes First” above, BPC.
6. If this occurs on the final shot with opponent poison ball(s); a shoot-out between poison balls
determines the winner: The Finish Stake is removed. Players stand with their backs at the spot of the
finish stake, and mark off 4 paces in any direction. This is the shoot-out location as balls remain at this
marked location. “Who goes first” is determined by standard protocols. A shot and miss returns the
poison-striker-ball to the previously marked location.
Advanced Striker Plays
1. If the striker ball by any legal means moves another player's ball through a wicket, or causes it to hit
the Finish Stake; the wicket or stake is scored. No bonus stroke is awarded for wicket.
2. Croqueting or roquet-croqueting an opponent’s ball into the Finish Stake sends the struck-ball back to
Start. The struck-ball returns to Start, even if they have scored the Rover wicket.
3. If the striker ball by any legal means moves another player’s ball in contact with poison, the struck ball
is eliminated.
4. If the game is one of multiple balls per side, striker can roquet their own side’s balls through a wicket.
That scores the wicket but no bonus stroke(s) awarded.
Strategies
Phase 1 - Race Around the Lawn
1. Temporary alliances can be beneficial especially to delay an opponent from becoming Poison. If a
player is lagging behind and finds themselves positioned within striking distance, it is understood that
such player is to roquet and croquet the lead ball to a position that delays their promenade and/or to
place the lead ball where other opponents can also roquet/croqet the lead ball.
2. One specific strategy using the croquet stroke is to move the opponent’s ball to a position that will
allow the striker to play off that ball after passing through a wicket.
3. Attacking - Roqueting the opponent balls - is often the best path to winning the game. By attacking,
you gain additional bonus strokes for scoring wickets and putting the opponent balls out of scoring or
attack position.
4. Attacking through a single wicket is frequently effective by "punching" close enough to an opponent
ball for an easy roquet using the Wicket Bonus Stroke.
5. A good tactic to impede the other side's progress around the course is to set a "guard" ball at a
strategic point that will either prevent the approach of the opponent or force him/her to waste strokes
trying for a long-distance hit-in.
6. If play is such that the striker is able to garner continuous bonus shots and score more than 1 hoop in
one turn, this is called Making-a-Break.

6. Phase 2 - Poison:
1. Be patient. Do not put yourself in a position that gives your opponent poison sides a clear shot at you.
2. Make sure if your shots miss they are well out of range of opponent poisons, when they stop.
3. If you are pursued by poison, use the terrain, wicket locations and the Finish Stake to hide.
FAQ
Q: "At the start of the game, is it better to go first or last?"
A: Generally, it's better to go last, because the more balls in front of you, the more options you have in playing
your ball. So, unlike other games, it is not polite to insist that the other team/player goes first.
Q: "Is there any particular way that I must hold the mallet and hit the ball?"
A: No, except that you cannot "push" the balls, i.e., you keep swinging so that your mallet is really pushing the
ball forward. However, it is advisable to use a traditional swing, where you swing the mallet in a straight line
between your legs, as opposed to from the side like golf.
Q: "When you go out of bounds, do you have to place your ball back in bounds immediately or can you wait
until your turn?"
A: You must immediately place your ball back in bounds.
Ball Striking
Being able to ‘jump’ the striker ball is a useful shot in order go-over a blocked wicket.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCmZO81Wekk
http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/
http://www.croquetamerica.com/
http://sonomacroquet.org/
Commissioners of Protocol
Gary Harbison-Order of the Seraphim, Santa Rosa-Sonoma-USA
Matthew Osborn-Order of the Northern Star, Oxford-Oxfordshire-UK