Master the Art of Crokinole with Our Comprehensive 'How to play' guide

How to Play Crokinole: A Guide to Scoring and Strategy

Welcome to our guide on how to play Crokinole, a classic tabletop game that blends skill and strategy. Here, you'll learn the essential scoring rules, including point values for different shots and how to maximize your score. By the end, you'll be ready to play confidently and aim for that 100-point victory!

Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 1

Aim of the game

Outscore your opponent!

Players alternate turns, aiming to shoot their discs into the center hole or higher scoring circles while also attempting to knock their opponent's discs out of play or into lower scoring areas.

The player with the highest score at the end of the round, after all discs have been played, is declared the winner. Typically, multiple rounds are played until a player reaches a total of 100 points.

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With how many players and discs can you play Crokinole?

A game of Crokinole is usually played with either 2 or 4 players.

Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 2

With 2 Players

In a two-player game of Crokinole, each participant is assigned 12 discs of a single color. The players sit directly across from each other at the table, creating a competitive atmosphere.

Each player takes turns flicking their discs towards the center of the board, aiming for high-scoring areas while also trying to strategically knock their opponent's discs out of play.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 2a

With 4 Players

In a four-player game of Crokinole, the players form two teams, with each player having 6 discs to shoot. Teammates sit directly across from one another, fostering collaboration and strategic teamwork.

On each turn, players take aim at the board, trying to land their discs in higher scoring areas while working to knock the opposing team’s discs out of play. Communication and strategy are key as teammates can discuss tactics and support each other during their turns.

The game progresses as players alternate turns, and once all discs have been played, scores are calculated based on the positioning of each team’s discs.

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Can you play Crokinole with 3 players?

Playing Crokinole with Three Players: Team Options and Strategies

Crokinole can be played with three players in two ways: as one team of 2 against 1, or as three individual players.

In the two-team format, players share 12 discs and alternate turns. In the three-player version, each player chooses a quadrant and uses 8 discs.

Setting Up for Your Crokinole Game

Fast & Easy set up!

Each player selects a disc color and an opposing quadrant of the board to shoot from. Once seated, players should remain in their designated spots for the entire round. The starting player can be determined by any method of drawing, and this player will alternate at the beginning of each round.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 3

Understanding the Basics of Crokinole

How to Play the Game

Players take turns flicking their discs, one at a time, targeting either the center hole or their opponent's discs. To make a legal shot, a player must place their disc within their designated quadrant, ensuring it touches the shooting line before flicking it towards the board.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 3a

1. 'Free shot'

When there are no opposing discs on the board, such as during the first shot of the game, the player enjoys a “free shot” aimed directly at the center hole. If the disc lands in the center, the player sets it aside to be counted in the final score at the end of the round, and then the next player takes their turn.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 3b

2. 'Free shot'

Validating Your Free Shot

A free shot must either land inside or touch the line of the inner (15) circle. If it doesn't, the disc is removed from play and placed in the ditch. If the disc successfully lands in the inner circle and remains in play, the next player takes their turn.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 4

Shooting at Opponent Discs in Crokinole

Validating Your Free Shot

When there is an opposing disc on the board, the next player must target that disc. The goal is to knock the opponent's disc into a lower scoring position while placing the shooter’s disc in a higher scoring spot. After the discs collide, any that touch the shooting line must be removed to the ditch.

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Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 4a

Rules for Successful Shots in Crokinole

Consequences of Missing the Target

If the shooter fails to hit an opposing disc, their shooting disc is removed from play, even if it lands in the center hole. Players are allowed to bounce their shot off a post or another disc. However, if the opponent's disc is not touched, any of the shooter’s discs that are hit in the process must also be removed from play.

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Players continue to alternately flick their discs until all 24 discs have been shot.

Mr. Croki Rules - Chapter 5

How to Win the Game

Master the Points System and Reach 100 to Claim Victory

At the end of each round, teams calculate their total points based on where their discs land. Here's how scoring works:

  • 20 points – Center hole
  • 15 points – Inner circle
  • 10 points – Middle circle
  • 5 points – Outer circle

If a disc touches a line between circles, it counts for the lower value of the two circles.

Once each team’s score is tallied, the difference between the scores is awarded to the round’s winner. For example, if Team 1 scores 50 points and Team 2 scores 35, Team 1 earns 15 points for the round.

The game continues for several rounds until one team reaches a total of 100 points to secure the win.

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