Croquet

kro-ka, a lawn game played with mallets, balls, stakes, and wickets. A stake is driven at each end of the ground. Nine wickets are driven, five in a central row leading from post to post, and two others on each side. The game may be played by two persons. Each player is allowed to strike his ball once with the mallet, driving it along a line which makes the round of the wickets. If it pass through a wicket, he is entitled to play again, or if his ball strike that of an opponent, he is entitled to place his ball by the side of it and strike his own ball. This he aims to do in such a manner that his opponent's ball is rolled out of position, while his own comes in front of a wicket. He is then entitled to another play for his wicket, which won, he may again, if not in place, play his opponent's ball and thus continue. It is not at all impossible for a skillful player, with the aid of his opponent's ball, to make the entire round and strike his home post without giving his opponent an opportunity to stop his progress. Four can play to a still better advantage by pairing off. Those who play together assist each other. When a player cannot make a wicket he aims to leave his ball where it may be played upon by his partner; and likewise, when one player gets possession of his partner's ball, he aims by a split shot to throw it into position for a wicket and yet leave his own in an advantageous position. The game is in some respects like that of billiards. It calls for a firm wrist and a true eye. See Pall Mall