THE RULES.
1. _Each ball must first be placed upon the spot and played from
thence._
A booby does not return to the spot, but continues to play as a booby,
without the right to roquet or be roquetted until it is bridged. Hence a
booby has but one blow unless that blow bridge it. It may hit another
ball and be hit, but the contact never constitutes a point.
2. _The mallet must be used with one hand, and the stroke must be a
blow._
With balls and mallets of the standard size, there is no necessity for
using both hands. It is difficult to draw the precise line between a
legitimate blow and a push. In every blow the mallet follows the ball a
little, for it takes a small interval of time for the momentum of the
mallet to transfer itself to the ball; but in the push a new impulse is
given to the ball every instant, and this may act unfairly; for
instance, a ball is to be roqueted at a distance of six inches or a
foot. If the playing ball is pushed until it reach the other ball, the
latter is virtually moved by the mallet as much as in the
roquet-croquet, instead of being moved by concussion merely. This would
be inconsistent with the theory of the game. Again, a ball is in contact
with the pier of its proper bridge so that it cannot run it by a blow.
If a push be allowed, it might be pushed into position, and then pushed
through by slightly changing the direction of the mallet. It would thus
be played in a curved line. It may be objected to this rule that the
vicinity of the stake or the piers of a bridge may render a blow
impossible; but a little attention will obviate the necessity of playing
in constrained positions.
3. _The stroke is delivered when an audible sound is made or the ball
moved._
The habit of giving the ball a little preparatory tap should be avoided.
It is allowed to strike the pier of a bridge or the stake with the view
of moving the ball by concussion; but if the ball do not move the blow
is complete, and the error in judgment cannot be rectified.
4. _The tour of a ball continues as long as it makes a point, and
terminates with the first blow on which no point is made._
5. _To make a point a ball must either make a step on the grand round or
roquet another ball._
Croquet is not considered a point, because it is not a play of the
player's own ball but a privilege, after which the tour is continued by
virtue of the roquet.
6. _Each ball before striking out must make every step on the grand
round in the prescribed order, either directly by a blow of the mallet,
or indirectly by concussion or croquet._
"Directly by a blow of the mallet"--that is, during the ball's own tour,
whether proceeding from the mallet immediately, or by rebound from a
fixed object or the person of an enemy. "Indirectly," not during its own
tour, when moved by another ball or accidentally.
7. _Making the proper step on the round, but no other, constitutes a
point, or entitles to continuance of tour._
A step made indirectly is no point either for the playing ball or the
other, though the latter is advanced on its round.
8. _The bridges must be run from the front--that is, from the side
towards the starting stake for the first half-round, and from the other
side for the second half-round._
9. _A bridge is not run unless the ball pass completely through it._
To decide this in a doubtful case, place the mallet handle against the
piers in front; if any part of the ball project beyond the plane of the
bridge it will become evident. The ball is then said to rest under the
arch of the bridge.
10. _A ball resting under the arch of a bridge and having come from the
front makes no point, but is in position to run the bridge._
The run may now be completed by concussion, or, if the ball remain till
next tour, by a blow of the mallet.
11. _A ball resting under the arch of a bridge, and having come from the
reverse side, is not in position to run it._
To decide a doubtful case, place the mallet handle against the piers on
the reverse side.
CASE.--A ball was in position under the arch of a bridge but is driven
back, and afterwards gains the same position from the reverse side. Is
it in position, since it once reached that point from the front? No. The
run of the bridge must be continuous, though not necessarily at one
blow.
12. _If a ball pass completely through a bridge and rebound or roll
back, the run remains good._
13. _If a ball pass completely through a bridge in the reverse
direction, and rebound or roll back under the arch, it is in position._
14. _If a bridge be oblique any player may adjust it, unless a ball be
under the arch._
That is, it must first be decided whether the ball has run the bridge or
is in position.
15. _The stake may be tolled from any direction and by the slightest
perceptible touch._
An audible sound will be evidence of the tolling; but when it is so near
that the sound cannot be distinguished from that of the mallet, it must
be seen to change its direction.
16. _A ball roquets another when it comes in contact with it from a blow
of the mallet; provided both balls are bridged at the time of contact,
and the playing ball has not roqueted the other ball before during the
same tour since making a step on the round._
CASE.--A booby hits a booby and both pass through the first bridge; can
it croquet? No. It is not a roquet unless they remain in contact after
passing through the bridge. It must roquet again.
17. _A ball already in contact with another ball does not roquet unless
it move it perceptibly._
To do this it must, of course, play in a direction less than ninety
degrees from a line joining the centres of the balls.
18. _A ball can acquire the right to re-roquet--that is, to roquet the
same ball again during the same tour--only by making a step on the
round._
A ball may hit another ball twice or more during the same tour, and
between two consecutive bridges, or between the bridge and the turning
stake, and move it, each time by concussion; but only one (not
necessarily the first) contact is a valid roquet.
19. _A roquet, but no hit which does not fulfil all the conditions of a
roquet, constitutes a point, and entitles to continuance of tour._
20. _A roquet, but no other hit, entitles to the privileges of croquet._
21. _The croquet may be declined, and the tour continued from the spot
to which the player's ball has rolled, or from the side of the roqueted
ball._
The privilege of the croquet thus consists of two parts. First, the
option between the final position of the playing ball and a new position
in contact with the roqueted ball, and on any side of it. Second, the
croquet proper. The second only, or both parts of this privilege may be
declined; but this must be distinguished from "declining roquet"
afterward mentioned.
CASE.--A ball not a rover having roqueted another ball, is placed in
contact with it, and, without using the foot, the player drives them
both in any direction, as in roquet-croquet. Is this allowed? Yes. The
croquet was declined and the stroke was a common blow; but the other
ball, being merely moved by concussion, (since it was previously
roqueted,) the tour cannot be continued unless a point was made at the
same time.
22. _If after a roquet the playing ball be taken up or moved from its
place, it must continue its tour from the side of the roqueted ball._
CASE.--A ball roquets another ball, driving the latter by concussion
through the playing ball's proper bridge; remaining, however, in
position to run the bridge. The player begins to move the ball, but on
second thought concludes to run the bridge. Can he claim to have moved
it by accident? No, even if it was not taken up from the ground; for it
may be presumed that it was done with the intention to croquet. Whether
he croquet or not he must take position by the side of the other, and
has lost his opportunity to run the bridge. So, too, if he takes
position under the arch of the bridge he is not in position to run it,
for the space over which the ball is carried is no part of its course.
23. _The croquet must be executed before continuance of tour._
CASE.--A ball roquets another and on the same blow runs its bridge; the
croquet is then executed. Does the run hold good. Yes, at the player's
option. CASE.--Under the same circumstances the playing ball is taken to
the side of the roqueted ball. Can it re-roquet it on the ground that it
has run a bridge since the roquet? No. The right to re-roquet must be
acquired _after_ croqueting or moving the playing ball. But the playing
ball might have re-roqueted from its final position, declining the first
croquet.
24. _The croquet is completed when the mallet makes a perceptible blow
against the croqueting ball; but if the mallet altogether miss it, the
blow may be repeated._
The blow is perceptible if an audible sound is made, whether the
croqueted ball move or not.
CASE.--A player in croqueting claims to have hit his foot; the croqueted
ball, however, has moved from its place. Can he restore it and repeat
the blow? No. The claim should not be allowed, for it is impossible to
tell in such cases whether the ball was hit or only the foot. If it be
necessary to get the other ball out of the way, he must drive it by
concussion with his own.
25. _If the player's ball flinch in executing the croquet he forfeits
the remainder of his tour, and no point made by a flinching ball is
valid._
CASE.--A flinching ball rests under the arch of its proper bridge,
having come from the front. Is it in position? No. If the complete run
is illegal, the partial run is also, as in the case of moving a ball to
croquet.
26. _If a ball be driven out of the arena, it must be brought within it,
and placed one foot from the boundary at the nearest point._
This rule is on the supposition that the arena is of the standard
dimensions or something near it. If from the imperfections of the ground
the boundaries at any place approach too near the stakes or bridges,
this rule must be modified so that a ball shall not materially alter its
position with reference to the bridges, stakes, or other balls. Under
the same limitations it may be removed one foot from a tree or other
obstacle. The ball should be placed immediately.
CASE.--A's ball is played against a tree. If B roquet it he cannot
croquet it, or play his ball afterwards to advantage. Can he compel A to
place his ball? Yes; but not so that B's position after the roquet shall
be improved. If this were not so ruled, an obstacle would often be made
a refuge. Cases of this kind often arise on imperfect grounds. They must
be settled like cases in equity; as fairly as possible for each side,
and so that neither can take advantage of technicalities.
27. _If a player misplay, and the enemy challenge him before allowing
the play of another ball, they have the option of replacing the
misplaying ball and any which may have been moved in their former
positions, or allowing any or all of them to remain in the positions to
which they have rolled. And no point made by a misplaying ball, if
properly challenged, is valid, except at their option._
The option belongs to the enemy of the players and not of the ball. If
the challenge be made as soon as possible, though another ball is
played at the same time, the requirements of the rule are satisfied.
CASE.--A misplaying ball runs a bridge after croqueting its partner
through his proper bridge. The enemy challenge and elect to leave both
balls in their final position. Can they compel them to renew their
bridges? The ball of the misplayer must re-run its bridge; but any other
ball has made the step unless it is restored to its former position. The
latter is regarded as accidentally displaced, and follows the rule
provided for that case. If the misplay consist of illegal continuance of
tour, of course the penalty does not extend to the correct play which
preceded it.
28. _If a player misplay, whether with his own or another ball, he
forfeits his next tour._
When a misplay is detected the play is stopped, and the damages under
the preceding rules taken, and the player who should have played takes
his tour, and so on, omitting the misplayer's next tour. Thus if A play
in his partner C's tour, the order will be C, D, B, C, etc. If A play
without right to continuance of tour, the order will be B, C, D, B, C,
etc.
29. _If a misplay is not challenged until the play of another ball has
commenced, the play stands, but the misplayer loses his first tour after
the discovery._
CASE.--D plays after A and is challenged, but shows that A misplayed in
his partner's tour. Has D misplayed? No. He played in his proper tour. C
has lost his tour through neglect, and A has anticipated a tour, while
the other side has lost the right to exact the penalty for A's misplay,
the order of play is B, A, D, B, C, etc.
CASE.--While B is playing it is discovered that A misplayed. Is B's play
correct? Yes. B naturally plays after A. B finishes his play, and the
order of play is B, A, B, C, D, B, etc. Here A's tour is merely
transposed, and B gains an extra tour, so that in both cases the
misplaying side loses one tour. If a player misplays in the tour of an
enemy and is not challenged in time, the misplayer and the neglectful
party will each lose a tour. Thus if D omit his tour the order will be
C, A, B, C, D, B, etc. If A play without right to continuance of tour,
so as in effect to take two tours, and it is discovered after B begins
to play, A merely anticipates his next turn, and the order is A, A, B,
C, D, B, etc.
30. _If a misplay has taken place so that the balls are playing in a
wrong order, but the original misplayer cannot be discovered, the
playing ball must finish its tour and the right order be taken up._
A case of frequent occurrence in the four-ball game. The sides are still
playing alternately, but in an inverted order, A, D, C, B. A misplay has
evidently been made, but none of the subsequent players can be
convicted, because each has followed his partner after the proper
interval; hence no penalty can be exacted on either side. If two
partners are playing in succession, the last always misplays; and, if
detected before the next play, must suffer the full penalty, and any
previous player in the same circumstances loses his next turn.
31. _If a ball be played before the preceding ball has finished or
abandoned its tour, the enemy have the option of replacing the ball to
take its tour after the other has finished, or letting the play stand as
the player's next tour._
This case is excluded from the definition of misplay, and the penalty
exacted is less. As will be seen by the next rule, the ball prematurely
played will have had but one blow. If it was a good one the enemy will
have the ball replaced; if a poor one they will let it stand; and if an
easy point has been made, the player loses the rest of his tour, as in
misplay, except that if a step on the round is made it is valid.
32. _A player abandons his tour if he allows the next player to make two
blows before challenging him, or make use of words or actions implying
that he has finished his tour._
As calling the name of a player or color of the ball. Of course it is
implied that a tour abandoned cannot be resumed.
CASE.--A seems to abandon his tour, B begins to play, and C reminds A of
his right to continuance of tour. Has A abandoned his tour? Yes, if he
had not intended to play until he was reminded, or acted so as to convey
such an impression.
33. _A ball accidentally displaced may be replaced, or allowed to
remain, at the option of the enemy of the player who caused the
accident._
A ball moved under the foot in croqueting, but not flinching, is
accidentally displaced.
34. _If a ball accidentally displaced make a step on the round, the step
is valid unless the ball be replaced._
In the same case the position is good if it pass under the arch of a
bridge from the front.
35. _If a ball in motion be interrupted by one of the players, it may
rest at the point of interruption, or be carried to the most distant
part of the arena in the direction in which it was moving, at the option
of the enemy of the player causing the interruption._
If a croqueted ball is interrupted, the croquet may be repeated.
36. _A player may decline any point made by himself, and play precisely
as if the point had not been made._
Of course if no other point is made on the same blow the tour is
finished. The application of the principle is connected with double
points. If a single roquet is declined, the effect is the same as if the
croquet and continuance of tour were declined; but if a step on the
round is declined, it remains the proper step and must be made again,
and the tour ceases. If the player wishes to adopt this course he must
signify that he declines the run or toll, or he will be presumed to have
declined continuance of tour merely. Striking out is not a point, and of
course cannot be declined.
CASE.--A ball passes through its bridge and recoils under the arch. Can
the player decline the run, leaving the ball in position? No. If it ran
the bridge, it passes under the arch in the wrong direction in
recoiling. So also if the bridge declined is the second of two
consecutive ones run, or a single blow--a case more likely to occur, as
continuance of tour is then retained by virtue of the first run.
37. _If a player decline one of two points made on the same blow, he may
continue his tour by virtue of the other._
He should signify which one he intends to decline; and unless he does
so, either by words or by the course of play, he may be presumed not to
have declined either.
38. _A step on the round made and declined must be made again, and when
made constitutes a point._
For instance, a ball makes roquet upon another ball, and accidentally
glances through its own bridge. If it should be in position after
croqueting, it may prefer to decline the run and make it again. It must
be remembered that it is not in position if placed under the arch to
croquet, and that the roquet must have been legitimate at the time of
contact, otherwise the run is the only point made, for the right to
re-roquet cannot be antedated.
CASE.--A ball makes roquet and runs a bridge at the same shot. After
croqueting, he attempts to run the bridge and fails. Can he adopt the
previous run? No. The attempt to run the bridge shows that he elected to
decline the bridge. If he wishes to play in the direction of the bridge
without declining he should signify his election, and then an accidental
run will not constitute a point. If he plays in another direction, the
bridge is not declined unless he so signify. He has the option at the
time, but must make his choice at once; and if he says nothing before he
plays, he is committed to that alternative which his play seems
naturally to indicate.
39. _A step on the round made by a ball through concussion, croquet, or
roquet-croquet from another ball, cannot be declined, and the next step
becomes proper._
40. _A step on the round made by flinch, accident, or misplay, is valid
or not at the option of the enemy of the party in fault, who must make
their decision at once._
In case of accident or displace through a misplaying ball, it depends
upon whether the ball is left or replaced. In case of the misplayer's
ball, or a flinching ball, the option is with the enemy. In the cases of
Rule 39 there is no option, and in Rule 36 it rests with the player
himself.
41. _If a ball makes two successive steps on the round with one blow of
the mallet, and does not decline the latter, it may take ground up to a
standard mallet's length before continuing its tour._
The first step cannot be declined from the nature of the case; the
second may, but then there is no ground for the premium. The second
point will be declined if it is possible to make very good position for
the second bridge by roquet, or to glance off from the stake to
advantage. If the mallet's length allows a ball to take ground on the
reverse side of its proper bridge this will not count as a run, nor will
the ball be in position if placed under the arch. Up to a mallet's
length of course includes everything less.
42. _A step on the round is not declined if it be made the ground for
continuance of tour, re-roquet, or taking ground under the last two
rules, and in such case it cannot be made again._
CASE.--A having already roqueted B's ball, can he decline the run? If he
does the hit is no roquet, and no point has been made.
CASE.--A runs a bridge and roquets a ball. The two balls rest in such
relative positions that A can roquet the same ball back through the
bridge. Can he, after doing this, re-run the bridge? Not on that tour;
for if he continues his tour, the second hit must have been a roquet;
the roquet on the first blow must have been declined; therefore the
bridge could not have been declined. Or, if the bridge was declined, the
first hit was a roquet and the second no point; therefore his tour is at
an end.
43. _A roquet made and declined may be made again during the same tour,
although the right to re-roquet has not been acquired, and when so made
it constitutes a point._
The first hit was not a roquet if really declined. (See Rule 45.) A ball
may be hit and moved by concussion before a roquet as well as after one.
Thus if a step on the round and a roquet be made on the same blow, the
player may at once croquet the roqueted ball, or roquet it again
immediately or after other roquets. Not croqueting the ball is evidence
enough of having declined, as there could never be any advantage in
declining the croquet and not the roquet, if it can properly be
declined.
44. _A ball making ricochet--that is, roqueting several balls on the
same blow--may croquet them all in the order of the roquets._
Any one of the roquets may be declined and made again after croqueting
the other balls in their proper order. Not croqueting is sufficient
evidence of declining; but if none are croqueted, and the ball is not
moved to the side of any one, the player must declare which he means to
decline. As soon as a step on the round is made, it no longer makes any
difference whether a roquet was declined or not.
CASE.--A ball makes roquet on two balls simultaneously. Can it croquet
them both? Yes, and the player should have the option of either order.
45. _A roquet is not declined if it is made the ground for continuance
of tour, croquet, or playing from the side of the roqueted ball; and in
such case the same ball cannot be roqueted again during the same tour
until the right to re-roquet has been acquired._
46. _A ball running the last bridge by a direct blow of the mallet must
be carried to the spot and played from thence as a rover, unless it
strike out on the same blow._
The ball in this last case passes over the spot, and thus of itself
complies with the condition and becomes a rover, after which it may
strike out. Hence, also, if it does strike out, the bridge cannot be
declined so as to save the ball.
CASE.--A ball runs the last bridge and roquets a ball on the same blow.
Can it croquet? Not unless the bridge is declined, otherwise it must be
placed on the spot immediately.
47. _A ball running the last bridge otherwise than by a direct blow of
the mallet becomes a rover, but must be played from its final position
like any other ball._
48. _A rover having no bridges to run can never re-roquet._
A rover can make no more points than the number of balls in the game,
and can have but one more blow.
49. _A rover, but no other ball, may roquet-croquet a roqueted ball
instead of croqueting it._
If the player, however, elect to use the foot, and his ball flinch, he
must suffer the penalty. If in flinching the rover strike the starting
stake, he is out if the enemy so decide.
50. _If a rover in roquet-croqueting hit another ball, it may accept or
decline the roquet._
It is entitled to another blow after roquet-croquet at any rate;
therefore the roquet is not necessary to give continuance of tour.
51. _A rover fails to roquet-croquet if the other ball is not moved, and
the tour terminates unless another ball is roqueted on the same blow._
The blow not being a roquet-croquet, a point must be made to entitle to
continuance of tour. A roquet-croquet is precisely like a roquet when
the balls are in contact. (See Rule 17 and remarks.)
52. _A rover is struck out whenever it touches the starting stake,
except when in case of accident or misplay the enemy of the party in
fault decide otherwise._