Chronicling Crokinole the Cloutier Way
I recently had the pleasure of joining Terry Brown and Helen Temby on Hogan’s Alley, the Crokinole UK podcast, in an episode titled “Chronicling Crokinole the Cloutier Way” (released August 29, 2025).
To be honest, I was a little nervous going in; interviews aren’t my natural comfort zone. But within minutes, Terry and Helen made me feel completely at ease. It felt less like being interviewed and more like chatting with old friends who happen to share the same passion for the “greatest game on earth.”
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| Hogan’s Alley Podcast |
Rediscovering the “Greatest Game on Earth”
One of the first things we talked about was how I rediscovered Crokinole. Like many people, I grew up with the game, but as life moved along, the board gathered dust. Then one day I came across it again, flicked a disc, and everything came rushing back, the sound, the feel, the fun.
I told Terry and Helen how that moment rekindled something inside me. It wasn’t just about playing a game; it was about reconnecting with tradition, family, and a sense of joy that had been there all along. That spark eventually grew into the idea of writing about Crokinole, capturing not just how to play, but why it matters.
Writing the Books
That journey led me to write two books:
Crokinole: The Illustrated Guide
Let’s Play Crokinole: The Complete Handbook
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| The Ultimate Crokinole Book Collection |
On the podcast, we explored what it was like to put those books together. I admitted that the hardest part was writing for both beginners and seasoned players at the same time. I wanted someone who had never seen a board before to feel welcomed, while also giving experienced players insights and stories they could connect with.
Putting Crokinole into words was a challenge, how do you describe the tension of a perfect shot or the rhythm of discs clicking on wood? But that challenge was also what made the process rewarding. And hearing back from readers who learned (or relearned) the game through my books has been the best reward of all.
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| Crokinole in Seoul! |
Crokinole Around the World: The Korean Story
One of my favourite parts of the conversation was sharing the story of Crokinole being played in Korea. When I first learned about it, I couldn’t believe it. Crokinole in Seoul!
What made it even more special was hearing from a teacher there who wanted to translate my book into Korean for his students. Imagine that, young people in another country learning Crokinole not just through the board, but through words I had written.
That moment showed me just how universal the game really is. The joy of flicking discs, the laughter around the board, the friendly rivalries, those things don’t need translation. But knowing that someone cared enough to translate my book made me realize Crokinole is not only growing internationally, it’s inspiring a new generation of players far beyond its Canadian roots.
A Touch of Banter
Of course, the episode wasn’t all serious! The lighter moments made the whole experience genuinely fun and reminded me that Crokinole is as much about joy as it is about skill. By the end, it didn’t even feel like an interview; it felt like a great conversation with friends. And really, that’s what Crokinole is all about.
Final Thoughts
Being on Hogan’s Alley was a highlight for me. It gave me a chance to talk not only about Crokinole and my books but also about the stories and connections that make the game so meaningful.
If you’d like to hear the full conversation, you can listen here: Chronicling Crokinole the Cloutier Way.
And if you haven’t already, I invite you to pick up a disc, gather some friends, and discover (or rediscover) why Crokinole is the greatest game on earth.
Buy it now:
Join the Discussion: Have you played crokinole before? Share your experience in the comments below!
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