Croquet is one of the easiest games to start playing and one of the most rewarding to master. If you have a set and a patch of lawn, you can be playing within minutes. This step-by-step guide from Croquet Game shows you exactly how to play croquet, from setting up to taking your first shots, so beginners can get straight into the fun.
We will focus on the friendly, widely played version so you can learn the essentials quickly. Once you understand these basics, you can explore the deeper formal versions whenever you like.
Step 1: Set Up the Court
Begin by laying out your hoops and peg on a flat, mown lawn. For a simple game, the six-hoop layout or the nine-wicket backyard pattern both work well — just scale it to your space. Set each hoop firmly and vertically so it stays put when struck. If you are unsure of the layout, our court setup guide walks you through the dimensions and positions in detail.
Step 2: Choose Balls and Playing Order
Each player takes a ball colour, and play follows the order marked on the peg: blue, red, black, then yellow. In a two-player game, each person can play two balls. Decide who plays which colours, and remember the sequence — sticking to the correct order is one of the few firm rules you need to follow throughout the game.
Step 3: Take Your First Shot
Players start by bringing their ball into the game from near the starting point. To play a shot, stand with the ball in front of you, grip the mallet with both hands, and swing it smoothly like a pendulum to strike the ball with the flat face. Aim for a controlled tap rather than a big hit — accuracy matters far more than power in croquet. Our guide on how to hold and swing a mallet covers technique.
Step 4: Run the Hoops in Order
Your goal is to hit your ball through the hoops in the correct sequence and direction. A hoop counts only when your ball passes completely through it. Each time you run a hoop, you earn one bonus shot, letting you continue your turn. Knowing the order is key — it is marked on the peg — so take a moment to plan your route to the next hoop before each shot.
Step 5: Use Roquets and Bonus Shots
When your ball hits another player’s ball, that is a roquet, and it earns you two bonus shots. You can place your ball next to the one you hit and play a croquet stroke that moves both balls — useful for sending an opponent away or setting yourself up for the next hoop. Combining hoops and roquets lets you take several shots in a single turn, which is the heart of croquet strategy.
Step 6: Finish at the Peg
Once your ball has run all the hoops in order, the final step is to hit the centre peg to finish, or “peg out.” The first player or team to complete the course and peg out wins the game. It is a satisfying conclusion that rewards a full game of careful positioning, and reaching it for the first time is a genuinely rewarding moment for any new player.
Simple Tips for Beginners
To improve quickly, focus on controlled, accurate shots rather than power, and always think about where your ball will end up, not just whether it goes through the hoop. Use your bonus shots wisely to set up the next move. And do not worry about mistakes — croquet is meant to be relaxed and fun. For more ways to sharpen up, see our croquet tips to improve fast.
Understanding Continuation Shots
The concept of continuation shots is what makes croquet flow, so it is worth understanding early. A continuation shot is the bonus stroke you earn after running a hoop or after playing a croquet stroke. It lets your turn keep going as long as you keep scoring or roqueting, which is how skilled players make so much progress in one visit to the lawn. As a beginner, simply remember that every hoop you run and every ball you hit rewards you with another shot — so planning a chain of moves, rather than one shot at a time, quickly improves your results.
Positioning: Think One Shot Ahead
The single habit that most improves a new player is thinking about where the ball will stop, not just whether it goes through the hoop. A good croquet shot leaves your ball in an ideal spot for the next one. Before you strike, glance at the hoop after the one you are aiming for and try to finish your shot facing it. This forward planning turns a series of lucky taps into a controlled, flowing game, and it is the gateway skill that leads naturally into the deeper tactics of the formal versions.
Playing With Different Numbers of People
Croquet adapts easily to your group. With two players, each person controls two balls, alternating between them and playing all four colours in order. With four players, everyone controls a single ball, which is simpler to follow and great for beginners. You can also form teams for doubles, where partners cooperate to run hoops and defend against opponents. Because the same core rules apply regardless of numbers, you can happily include however many friends and family members want to join in on the lawn.
Common Beginner Questions During a Game
New players often pause over a few situations. What if your ball goes off the lawn? It is usually replaced just inside the boundary. What if you hit the wrong ball? That is a fault and your turn ends. Can you run a hoop backwards? Only in the correct direction for its place in the order. Keeping the peg’s colour order in view and remembering that clean, single strikes are the rule will resolve almost every question that comes up during a friendly game.
Making Your First Game Fun
The best way to learn croquet is simply to play a relaxed first game without worrying about every rule. Start with the simple version, keep the court modest in size, and focus on hitting clean shots and running hoops in order. Celebrate good shots, laugh off the wayward ones, and let the strategy reveal itself naturally as you go. Croquet is a wonderfully sociable game, and the enjoyment of playing together on the lawn matters far more than perfect technique when you are just starting out.
Can you hit your own ball twice in a turn?
You may play multiple shots in a turn if you earn bonus shots by running hoops or roqueting, but each stroke must be a single, clean hit. Striking the ball twice in one stroke is a fault.
What happens when your ball goes out of bounds?
A ball knocked off the lawn is usually replaced a short distance inside the boundary at the point where it left. Play then continues from there on your next turn.
Moving On to the Formal Versions
Once you are comfortable with the basics, you may want to explore the formal versions of the game. Golf Croquet keeps things simple with one shot per turn and a shared target on each hoop, making it a natural next step. Association Croquet adds the full roquet-and-croquet break system for players who crave real strategic depth. There is no rush — many people happily play the casual version for years. But knowing these fuller versions exist gives you somewhere to grow, and the fundamentals you learn now transfer directly to every form of croquet you might try.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play croquet for beginners?
Set up the hoops, choose ball colours and follow the peg’s order, then hit your ball through the hoops in sequence using controlled mallet strokes. Running hoops and hitting other balls earn bonus shots, and you finish by striking the centre peg.
What is the easiest version of croquet to learn?
Golf Croquet is the simplest, with one shot per turn and every ball aiming at the same hoop. It is the best starting point before moving on to the more strategic versions.
How long does a game of croquet take?
A casual game usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the version, the number of players, and the size of the court. Shorter games are easy to arrange for quick fun.
Do you need special skills to play croquet?
No. The basics can be learned in minutes, making croquet perfect for all ages. Accuracy and a little strategy develop naturally as you play more games.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to play croquet is quick and rewarding: set up, follow the order, run the hoops, use your bonus shots, and finish at the peg. With those simple steps you have everything you need to enjoy this timeless lawn game. For more beginner guides, rules, and tips, keep following Croquet Game.