Croquet
Croquet has its origins in the game of “mail”. The word mail here is used in French for hammer. This game was played in the Country side of France in middle-ages. The word ‘croquet dauphinois’ has its origins in French as well. The present game emerged in Ireland in year 1830. This game had a hint of both cricket and golf. The rich aristocracy played this game as a pass time in 1850’s. This game was taken to the British colonies in 1870’s. Today it is played in US, Canada, France and Australia.
Croquet is a recreational game as well as a competitive game. The basic rules require the players to hit the croquet balls through hoops with the help of a croquet mallet. Basic croquet is played with four balls two for one team and two for the other. These balls are available in the croquet sets and so are the hoops and croquet mallets. Although the simplest croquet rules require completing the circuit with the two balls and hitting the centre peg the croquet official rules are different for different forms of the game.
Some common variations of this game include Mondo, extreme and bicycle croquet etc. Specification of the court also changes along with the type of croquet. Croquet official rules are different for these variations of the game. However, it is only the rules that are different; the basic croquet set remains the same and consists of the pegs, croquet balls and the hoops. This game is very popular especially in Europe and the sets are very easily available both online and offline. Croquet supplies include the complete sets range and these supplies are available for all ages of players be it children, young players or old.
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This game became an Olympic sport in 1900. Another variation of the game Roque has also been an event in the Olympics. Many associations and federations look over the game of croquet. Most federations and associations develop their own official rules and play by those. However, the basic croquet remains the same there are only certain small variations in the game that these associations bring in. These variations chalk out these rules to tell how to play croquet in their style. In determining how to play croquet with variations they add new angles and variations to the sport. The different variations of the basic croquet differ in scoring rules, shot order and layout etc. Association and golf croquet have their official rules agreed internationally and are played on these agreed upon croquet official rules. Apart from being Olympic sport it is also played on club level, in world championships and international matches. The MacRobertson shield tournament is played between many countries after every four years.
Backyard croquet is an informal form of croquet. For this the croquet rules vary as per the desire of its players. The only difference between more formal and informal type of croquet is that there is no court required in backyard croquet. Backyard croquet is very popular in Canada and America. In both these countries croquet sets are available at many croquet stores. Apart from being available at special croquet supplies stores a set can very conveniently be found at even departmental stores such is the popularity of the game. A typical croquet set will have six wooden croquet mallets, six croquet balls which can be of wood or plastic, nine wickets, and two wooden stakes. These sets usually have cases to carry them around and for easy storing. Just like croquet sets, croquet clothes are also very conveniently available from the croquet supplies stores.
As croquet was played as a game for the aristocracy the vintage croquet sets are a collector’s item today. People buy vintage sets for collection purposes. These sets are available for auction on eBay and high prices are paid to get a hang of these vintage croquet sets. Such is the value of these sets that they are insured and preserved carefully by their owners.
