A smooth, closely cut turf is always to be chosen, and is improved by a thorough rolling with a very heavy roller, or, if that is not available, a few hours’ work with a heavy mall will bring the ground into very good condition. Next to having the turf smooth, the most important point is to have the ground level; and yet a very good game can be played on an uneven or sloping ground, if in making the strokes and determining the necessary force and direction, a proper calculation is made with reference to the condition of the surface over which the ball is to pass. It in fact shows more skill to play a good game upon a poor ground than upon a perfect one.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME.
Two players being designated captains or chiefs, one for each side, sides are chosen in the usual manner. The privilege of first choice of players is very conveniently decided between the chiefs by each placing his ball under the first bridge and striking for the starting post; the one who thus drives his ball nearest the post gaining the first choice.
The chief who has the first choice takes the ball corresponding in color with the top of the post, and the other chief the next ball according to the order of the colors on the posts, while the remaining balls are given to the other players in the order in which they are chosen. (See remark under Rule II.)
Eight persons can play, but a game of four or six is the most interesting. If four or more play, each player uses but one ball; but if only two play, the game is improved by each player taking two balls and playing them alternately as usual. If there be an odd number of players—either three, five or seven—the players play against each other individually, or one person takes two balls and plays each in its proper turn.
Assuming that each player has a ball and a mallet, that the bridges are arranged in either of the three positions given in diagrams Nos. 1, 2 and 3, we now come to the mode of playing the game. The object is to drive the balls through all the bridges, in the direction indicated by the dotted lines on the diagrams, and to strike the two posts. The side, all of whose members succeed in performing this feat first, wins the game. Now although this is the chief object of the game, yet the act from which it derives its title, to wit: “Croquet,” is of much greater importance than would at first be imagined. If a player hit with his ball any of the others, he is allowed to place his own against the ball he has struck, and setting his foot upon his own ball, he hits it with the mallet, and the force of the blow drives off the other ball while the playing ball remains stationary. As a player is allowed to Croquet either friend or foe, it is evident that he can do a great deal of damage or service, according to his inclination, since he is at liberty to drive the ball in any direction he pleases.
The Roquet-Croquet is an operation still more interesting than the Croquet as it is susceptible of much greater skill in its execution. This is accomplished the same as the Croquet, except that instead of holding one ball firmly by placing the foot upon it, both balls are left free to be driven together by the blow of the mallet. By practice and a skillful placing of the balls a stroke may be made that will cause the balls to diverge in any forward directions the player may desire.
In commencing a game, the first chief places his ball one-third the distance from the starting post to the first bridge, and endeavors, by striking it with the end of his mallet’s head, to drive it through the first bridge. If he succeeds, he continues his turn and attempts to send the ball through the second bridge, and then through the third, for driving the ball through a bridge, or hitting another ball, generally imparts the privilege of an additional stroke.