HINTS TO BEGINNERS
1. Leave your ball as far from your enemy and as near your friend as possible.
2. If you are in advance, help your friend; if you are behind, call upon him to help you.
3. Recollect that position directly under the arch of your proper bridge enables you to command all the field in front of it. You can run the bridge and leave your own ball near any other you wish to croquet, as the run gives you another shot. It is many times advantageous to decline making any stroke from such position, and wait until you see an opportunity to do execution among the enemy.
4. Take pains and exercise judgment on every stroke.
5. If you are a rover, leave yourself close to your friend. He can then croquet you towards the enemy who played last, whom you can afterwards demolish with impunity.
6. Play strictly according to rule; apply the laws rigidly, but be liberal in settling disputed questions of fact.
7. Do not attempt difficult shots except in desperate circumstances.
8. If the enemy have a rover, make every effort to put it out. One of you can then watch the remaining enemy while the other finishes the round. Your partner then relieves the guard while you make your bridges. The most desperate games can often be thus redeemed.
9. Never despair because you are behind. The game is never out till it is played out.
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