Association Croquet Rules for 6 wicket, 4 player game at the USCA (United States Croquet Association) website.

Golf Croquet

This is the simple and fun version of croquet that we play with friends and family.

1. The Course.
   1. The balls are played into the game from along the "north" boundary line, from the third corner (black flag) to the midpoint of the court and are placed 9" inches inside the line.
   2. In a short version, 7 points are contested; the first 6 wickets and then the stake.
   3. In a medium version 13 points are contested; the 12 wickets and then the stake.
   4. In a long version, 19 points are contested; the 12 wickets as in the medium version and then the first 6 wickets followed by the stake.
2. The Game.
   1. All balls are always for the same wicket in order. The point is scored for the side whose ball first runs the wicket.
   2. The game ends as soon as one side has scored a majority of the points to be played (i.e., a 7 point game is determined by the side that scores 4 points first). It is customary to keep the score by declaring a side to be one or more points up or down or all square as the case may be.
   3. Each turn consists of one shot. A player may chose to waive (pass) the turn and not strike the ball. The rules relating to roquet, croquet and continuation shots do not apply.
   4. The game is played between 2 sides. One side plays blue and black while the other side plays red and yellow. Play begins with the blue ball followed by red, black and yellow (the order of colors descending on the center stake) and that shall be the proper order of play until the game ends.
3. Running a Wicket.

   A ball scores the wicket point when it passes through the proper wicket in the correct direction, and comes to rest clear of the plane of the playing side of the wicket. If a striker ball partly runs a wicket, it may on a subsequent turn run the wicket to score the point, unless the point has already been scored. The wicket point can be scored by a ball that is cannoned, peeled or knocked through a wicket by an opponent or partner.

4. Jump Shot.

   A player may not play a shot that causes the striker ball rise from the ground. If the striker does so accidentally or in ignorance of this rule, and runs a wicket for the striker ball or its partner's ball, the point shall not be scored. If, a ball is displaced by a jump shot, the ball may be replaced at the option of the opponent.

5. Advancing prematurely to the Next Wicket.

   A player may get a head start on the next wicket to be played, but the wicket cannot be scored if the previous wicket has not yet been scored.

6. Playing Out of Turn or with a Wrong Ball.

   If the striker plays out of turn or with the wrong ball, that shot and any subsequent shots are null and void. All balls shall be replaced; the right ball shall be played by the correct player, and the other balls shall follow in proper sequence. No points scored during the period of error shall be scored.

Rule 5 is changed so that all players must contest the wicket they are for and cannot advance prematurely to the next wicket thereby trying to gain an advantage at the next wicket to be played.