GAMES & GATHERINGS · 4 MIN READ
Croquet: The Cutthroat Garden Party
A lawn, a few mallets, and a neighbor who says “lovely shot” while planning to send your ball somewhere deeply inconvenient.
Croquet’s polite reputation leaves quite a lot out.
What it is: A game of sending balls through wickets in a set order, with opportunities to earn extra shots and disrupt someone else’s progress. For a neighborhood gathering, nine-wicket backyard croquet is a welcoming place to start, with formats for two to six players.
American six-wicket croquet is another version, with its own rules and plenty of tactical depth. Decide which one you’re playing before arranging the lawn.
Things only a Naybor would tell you
Hitting another ball can be an opportunity, not an accident.
In American six-wicket play, that hit is called a “roquet.” It lets you place your ball beside the ball you hit and take a croquet stroke that moves both. Used well, it can improve your position and thoroughly spoil someone else’s.
Then there’s “poison,” an optional nine-wicket variation in which a ball that has completed the wickets can try to eliminate opponents by hitting them. Agree on that version before starting. Nobody enjoys learning that their ball is suddenly mortal.
The sweetest-looking game on the lawn can produce some remarkably calculating decisions. Keep the competition in the game and the conversation friendly.
Learn the rules
Start with the US Croquet Association’s nine-wicket backyard rules.
For a group interested in American six-wicket play, use the USCA’s American Croquet Rules.
Choose one format for the afternoon. Family traditions can be discussed over refreshments rather than introduced halfway through somebody’s turn.
Get the set
Jaques of London’s Canterbury set is one option to explore.
Before buying, check the number of mallets, balls, wickets, and stakes against the version you intend to play. A set packaged for six-wicket croquet may need additional pieces for a nine-wicket backyard layout.
For your first gathering, borrowing a neighbor’s set works beautifully.
How to organize it
Start with backyard rules and a practice round. Walk everyone through the course before the first shot.
Post in your Nayborlee group:
“Backyard croquet on Sunday at 3. Beginners welcome. I’ll set up the course and explain the rules—bring a drink and your most gracious competitive spirit.”
Keep the first gathering casual. If more people come than the set accommodates, rotate between games.
Space needed: A reasonably level, mown lawn with room for the course and mallet swings. You can scale a casual layout to your available space. A shared green or backyard can work; an estate is unnecessary.
Work-from-home midday verdict: Possible for a short practice session if the course is already set up. For a full social game, a weekend afternoon gives everyone more room to settle in.
Do you need a strong partner? No. Individual and team formats are available. Choose an arrangement that lets beginners learn without feeling responsible for an experienced player’s afternoon.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
Should we start with six wickets or nine?
Nine-wicket backyard croquet is a practical starting point for this gathering. Use the matching rules and equipment.
Is poison part of every croquet game?
No. It’s a variation. Agree on whether you’re using it before play begins.
Can we play on a smaller lawn?
Yes. Scale down a casual course while leaving enough room to play comfortably.
Can we send another player’s ball away?
Often, yes, when the rules allow it. The procedure depends on your chosen version, so demonstrate it during the practice round.
Do we need expensive equipment?
No. A serviceable borrowed or recreational set is enough to find out whether your neighbors enjoy the game.