What Crokinole Is
Crokinole is a dexterity game played on a circular board where players flick discs toward the center. It is often compared to a mix of shuffleboard and curling. It is easy to learn and can be played by two people, or as partners in teams of two.
Board and Equipment
A crokinole board is a round, smooth surface with a raised outer rim or gutter around it. Concentric scoring rings surround a small center hole, and a ring of small pegs (posts) guards the central area. Each player has a set of discs, commonly twelve per player in a standard game, in two colors. You flick the discs with a finger. Board sizes vary, so check what you have.
Players and Teams
Two people play head to head, and four can play as two partnerships sitting across from each other. Players sit at the edge of the board and shoot from the area directly in front of them.
How to Shoot
- Place your disc on your shooting line in front of you, within your own section.
- Flick it toward the center with a finger. You are not supposed to push or slide it.
- Players alternate turns, one disc at a time, until all discs have been shot.
The Must-Hit Rule
A central rule in most rule sets: once there are opposing discs on the board, your shot generally has to make contact with an opponent’s disc, or end up in the center hole, to stay on the board. A shot that does not do this is usually removed. Some rule sets are slightly different about when the first shots of a round are exempt, so read your board’s sheet or agree on rules before starting.
On hitting your own disc into an opponent’s: in general, the shot still counts as long as it ultimately makes contact with an opponent’s disc, but rulings vary by rule set. Check the version you are using.
Scoring
After all discs are shot, discs are counted by the zone they rest in. The commonly used values are:
- 20 points for a disc in the center hole. These are usually counted as you go, since the disc is removed from the board.
- 15 points for the inner ring.
- 10 points for the middle ring.
- 5 points for the outer ring.
A disc that touches a line is generally counted at the lower value, and discs that rest in the gutter or outside the scoring area do not count.
Rounds and Winning
Games are usually played in a set number of rounds, with scores added up, or to a target score. Both formats are common, so decide before starting. The player or team with the higher total at the end wins.
Common Fouls and House Rules
- Discs knocked off the board are removed.
- A disc that does not clear the shooting line is generally taken off and may be replayed, depending on rules.
- Some groups allow a free shot at the start of a round or when the board is empty.
FAQ
Can you hit your own piece into an opponent in crokinole? In most rule sets, yes, if the shot results in contact with an opponent’s disc. Exact wording varies.
Is crokinole a Mennonite game? It is closely associated with Mennonite communities in southwestern Ontario, Canada, where it became popular, though people of all backgrounds play it now.
Can two people play crokinole? Yes. Head-to-head is the standard two-player format.
Why is it called crokinole? The name is often traced to a French word for a flick or snap, a nod to the finger-flicking action. The exact origin is not completely certain.
If you enjoy flicking games, you might also like carrom, which uses a similar striking motion on a square board.