New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
THE NEW CROQUET.


HOW THE MODERN GAME is PLAYED.
From The London Mail.
For the new croquct, as played upon the full
size courts of 80 yards by 2S yards (reduced last
year from 40 yards by 81 yards on sound, level
turf, with clean chalk boundary and rigid
square-cut four-inch hoops, whole olored balls
(no senseless and maddening stripes. and SUBJ
stantial 3-pound mallets OudiciOusly combining
weight and elasicity)-there Is only one
epithet-"fasc mating" The scertfc game,
with its anaogic, to billiards and its kinship
to golf, not to mention rifle shooting, does fasci-
nate even those who say (as they may say, and
be right Of course to some extent. that II -
slow; tina. it excessively tries the nerves and
temper; and except in such weather as the
presenD inadcquately exercises the body. we
are inclined to think that one OF its chief and
novel attractions is precisely this exercise of the
nerves and temper, the intense and sustained
, excitement which-so far as actual caloric Is
cOncerncd-has all the effect of much moro
violent exercise
The main principles of the modern game
might perhaps be reduced to two: Cd The art OK
utilizing all the balls your own and your op.
ponentSD, or as many as can be got hOd OK
at once: and (2) the intelligent use Of the
boundary (Which, it will be remembered, is
always at least seven yards distant from the
nearest point in the highway of the game. and
al the corners much !ur;;ior) as place of refuge
and recuperation.
No . j. cxemplihcd at the common form open
ing Of every game. soon the first hoop
has been run. why ever does he go INTO the
corner?' asked the uncarned spectator, who
would have tried for the second hoop But to
run hoop exactly as to attain position"
for another twcnty-one yards distant IL a feat
too difficult To he worth attempting To shoot
and break down IS to leave dead bali or
your adversary to play with. Where else. then,
should you go tat this and at all other crises
where there is nothing TO be done 'On the
table, but out Of the game. to n point where
you and sour partner can be certain o: getting
together?
Hence tho general rule Of accepting the toss.
If you win it. For. other things being equal. the
players who first get together the boun-
day have practically the first turn in the game.
In respect OF this retiring" policy, croquet il,
perhaps, unlike any other pastime The ''boun-
dary. more especially the 'corner remotest
from your opponents game represents. for the
noncc safety. if the enemy does not succeed in
the enterprise, often highly difhcult on fast
court. Of fetching you out. From that safety Il
Is but step Of the offensive policy of your
descending upon him by means Of Il rush" Or
OF "takc-Off."
Let us suppose you have done So and main
principle No. comes into play. Wha, il to be
done with the balls?
Many a brilliant shot is quite ignorant when
he has got in what to do with the spOils
What will the scientific player do?
He will carefully look about him, and take in
the general situation. II the balls lie awkward.
~ he will make the best Of bad business
Taking the balls in proper order. ne Will leave
the safe one with his partner, and cart" the
player to a safe distance. thus leaving the
break for his partner. to whose hoop he will
himself repair at the close Of the turn. If they
lie favorally already he will, by few judcious
rolls and rushcs, get them into sill! more USE
ful order for his own purposes. and then make
hoop. Before making the next he will touch
the balls again. improve their arrangement, and
perhaps bring in" an outlying one which At
first he had been unable to get hold Of.
by that time or in another minute or two his
court will be in applepie order-a ball in hand
with which he is now running hoop. a ball
al the next hoop tor close To it-an indspensa-
ble element in securely running the four-inch
hoop. and a third in the middle Of the ground,
to which he will resort after every hoOr. the
easiest means Of getting to the next
This method Of progression. with variation
for the two nearer and easier middle hoops. and
a iudcious interchange of roll" rush and
"take-on is known the four ball break"
and. though games may be won without ii, is
the best and quickest method OF Winning and
must be mastered for effective tournament play.