Mastering Crokinole: NCA Rules (Part 3: How to Play Crokinole)

Basic Rules of Play

Welcome back to our Mastering Crokinole series! In the previous parts, we explored the essential setup and equipment details, as well as the foundation of the NCA (National Crokinole Association) rules that guide competitive and recreational play alike. In this third installment, we turn our attention to making a Valid Shot.

Valid Shot?

In this article, we’ll break down NCA Rule 3: Valid Shot, explain its purpose, and explore how it shapes fair and strategic play. If you’ve ever wondered why a shot that looked good didn’t count, or how the “No Hiding” rule works, this post will clear it all up.

Let’s dive into the basic rules of play and learn how to make every flick truly valid.

NCA Rule 3: Valid Shot

a) i) ii)

b)

Definition

If any opposing discs are in play, the shooter’s disc must strike an opposing disc either directly or by bumping one of the shooter’s discs already in play into an opposing disc.

The shooter’s blue disc hits his own blue disc which is propelled in the direction of an opponent's red disc. This is a legal shot for blue because his disc eventually came in contact with an opponent’s red disc.

15-point circle

If there are no opposing discs in play, then the shooting disc or at least one disc struck during the shot must end up touching or within the 15-point line. (The “No Hiding” rule.) A 20-point score is considered within the 15-line.

Consequence of failing a valid shot

If, on any turn, a valid shot is not made, then the shooting disc and all of the other discs that were struck, including any 20’s made, shall be removed (considered out of play) and shall not score.

Here are four examples of an invalid and a valid shot.

Example one:

The blue disc is shot into the 15-points circle and comes in contact with another blue disc. As a result of this play, both blue discs end up outside the 15-points circle. So, both discs will be removed from the playing surface since this is not a legal shot. At least one of the blue discs must remain in the 15-points circle or touch the demarcation line of the 15 and 10-points circles.

Example two:

The blue player shoots his disc directly into the twenty hole but fails to touch any of the opponent’s discs. This is not a legal shot for the blue player because his disc never came in contact with an opponent’s red disc. The blue disc will be removed from the playing surface and placed in the ditch. No points are awarded for this shot.

Example three:

Here we see an unfortunate shot for the blue player. The blue disc first rebounds off a peg missing the opponent’s red disc then hits his own disc, which in turn comes in contact with yet another blue disc. This is not a legal shot for the blue player because none of the three discs came in contact with the opponent’s red disc. All three blue discs, therefore will be removed from the playing surface and placed in the ditch.

Example four:

The shooter’s blue disc hits a peg before contacting the opponent’s red disc. The red disc is knocked off the playing surface and ends up in the ditch. This is a legal shot because the blue disc eventually came in contact with an opponent’s disc.

Using the same scenario as above if the opponent's red disc was contacted but stayed on the playing surface this shot would also be legal.

Wrapping Up

The Valid Shot rule is at the heart of fair crokinole play. It ensures that every turn involves interaction, precision, and purpose, not just hiding discs or taking easy shots. Once you understand this rule, you’ll begin to see how it shapes the rhythm and strategy of the game.

Remember the key takeaways:

• If your opponent has discs in play, you must hit one directly or by using your own disc.
• If the board is empty of opponent discs, your shot must end within or touching the 15-line, or it doesn’t count.
• Miss the mark, and every disc you struck, including any 20s, will be removed.

By keeping these principles in mind, your gameplay becomes cleaner, fairer, and much more competitive. Whether you’re just learning or refining your technique for tournament play, mastering this rule gives you a solid foundation for success.

Coming Up Next…

In Part 4, we’ll take a closer look at how the official NCA rules are applied in singles matches, covering setup, turn order, and player conduct.

Source:

All rules in this article are taken from the NCA Rules (Feb 9, 2011). Download the full document at the

National Crokinole Association website

Join the Discussion: Have you played crokinole before? Share your experience in the comments below!