Our Top Crokinole Board Recommendation
Crokinole Game Board – Tournament Size
- Official 26″ tournament diameter
- Premium maple wood construction
- Includes 24 playing discs and powder
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 stars
Check out this crokinole review if you’re wondering what all the buzz is about. Crokinole is a disc-flicking dexterity game that’s been around since the 1870s, and honestly? It’s having a massive comeback. In fact, what started as a Canadian parlor game has exploded into a worldwide phenomenon with championship tournaments, dedicated craftsmen building premium boards, and players who take this thing as seriously as any sport.
When I first saw a crokinole board, I thought it looked like someone shrunk a shuffleboard and made it round. However, once you start flicking those wooden discs and knocking your opponent’s pieces into the ditch, you quickly realize this game has serious depth.
What Makes Crokinole Special?
Crokinole sits in this perfect sweet spot between casual fun and competitive gameplay. Specifically, the round wooden board features concentric scoring rings—5, 10, and 15 points as you move inward—with a recessed 20-point hole dead center. Additionally, eight pegs guard that center hole, creating ricochets and strategic blocking opportunities.
A traditional crokinole board features a smooth playing surface with pegs guarding the center hole
The mechanics are dead simple: flick wooden discs from your section of the board’s outer edge, trying to land them in high-scoring areas while simultaneously knocking your opponent’s discs off the board entirely. Meanwhile, discs that end up in the outer ditch score nothing.
Ultimately, what separates crokinole from other flicking games is the skill progression. On one hand, complete beginners can play and have fun immediately. On the other hand, I’ve watched tournament players pull off bank shots and combination moves that seem impossible. In short, the game grows with you.
The History Behind Crokinole
The oldest known crokinole board was crafted in 1876 by Eckhardt Wettlaufer in Perth County, Ontario, as a fifth birthday gift for his son Adam. Today, that board still exists and sits on display at the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum in Kitchener, Ontario—in remarkably good condition considering it’s almost 150 years old.
Interestingly, the game’s name comes from the French word “croquignole,” which describes both a type of cookie and the action of flicking with your finger. Perfect name, honestly.
There’s debate about crokinole’s exact origins. For example, some believe it evolved from British and South Asian games like carrom in the 1860s. Conversely, others point to Mennonite communities, though that connection seems more about the game’s popularity among those groups than actual invention.
Here’s a fun fact: crokinole gained acceptance partly because religious groups in the 1800s viewed it as innocent compared to card playing or dancing, which were considered sinful. As a result, being a skill-based dexterity game instead of gambling helped its reputation.
How to Play Crokinole
The basic gameplay is straightforward but gets tactical fast.
Setup: Two players (or four playing as teams) sit across from each other. Each player gets 12 discs in their color. The board sits between you with its octagonal or round edge raised slightly to contain the action.
Proper crokinole technique involves controlled flicking from the outer edge
Taking Shots: On your turn, you flick one of your discs from anywhere along the outer edge of your quadrant. You’re trying to either land your disc in a high-scoring area or—and this is key—hit opponent discs already on the board.
The Contact Rule: Here’s where strategy kicks in. Specifically, if any opponent discs are on the board, you MUST hit at least one of them with your shot. Fail to make contact? Your disc gets removed from play. Consequently, this forces aggressive, interactive gameplay instead of everyone just aiming for the center.
Scoring: After all 24 discs have been played, you calculate points. First, discs in the center hole score 20. Next, discs in the 15-ring score 15, and so on. BUT—here’s the twist—you only count the difference between players. For instance, if I scored 35 points and you scored 20, I get 15 points for that round. Eventually, the first player to reach a predetermined total (usually 100) wins.
The Pegs Matter: Those eight pegs surrounding the center hole aren’t just decoration. Instead, they create bank shot opportunities and defensive positions. Furthermore, learning to use them separates casual players from serious competitors.
Strategy Tips for Crokinole
After watching tournament footage and playing a bunch myself, here’s what actually matters:
Defensive play wins games. Sure, the 20-hole looks tempting. However, knocking opponent discs into the ditch while leaving yours in a decent scoring position? That’s usually smarter than going for glory shots.
Corner positioning is underrated. In particular, discs tucked into corners near pegs are harder to hit cleanly. Therefore, they force your opponent into difficult angles.
Shot variety matters. Straight flicks are basic. In contrast, good players use glancing blows, bank shots off pegs, and controlled speed to create multiple outcomes from one shot.
The first few shots set the tone. Early in each round, you’re establishing board position. Later, shots become reactive based on what’s already there.
Practice your touch. This isn’t a game where harder always equals better. Controlled, precise flicks beat wild power shots every time.
Strategic crokinole play involves both offensive scoring and defensive positioning
The Competitive Crokinole Scene
The World Crokinole Championship has been held annually since 1999 on the first Saturday of June in Tavistock, Ontario—Eckhardt Wettlaufer’s hometown, which is a nice touch.
As a result, the tournament draws competitors from every Canadian province, multiple U.S. states, Germany, Australia, Spain, and the UK. Moreover, it features multiple divisions: competitive singles, recreational, intermediate (ages 11-14), junior (ages 6-10), and even a cue-shooting division for players who use small cue sticks instead of fingers.
Meanwhile, the National Crokinole Association runs a tournament circuit throughout the year. Essentially, players earn ranking points at various events, building toward that World Championship showdown.
Additionally, there’s a growing YouTube community. For example, CrokinoleCentre channel has over 16,000 subscribers watching tournament commentary and high-level play. Although the competitive scene is small compared to mainstream games, it’s passionate and growing.
Buying Your First Crokinole Board
Our Top Crokinole Board Recommendation
Crokinole Game Board – Tournament Size
- Official 26″ tournament diameter
- Premium maple wood construction
- Includes 24 playing discs and powder
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 stars
This is where things get interesting—and expensive.
Quality matters tremendously. Specifically, a cheap crokinole board plays like garbage. In fact, the discs don’t slide properly, the wood warps, and the whole experience suffers. Therefore, expect to spend $200-600 for a decent board.
Tournament-spec boards follow specific dimensions: 26-inch diameter playing surface, properly spaced pegs, quality hardwood (usually maple), and a smooth lacquered finish. Typically, these run $300-500.
Premium crokinole boards feature quality hardwood construction and smooth lacquered finishes
Handcrafted boards from established makers like Tracey Boards, Crokinole Canada, or Muzzies can cost $400-800+. However, they’re gorgeous, play beautifully, and last forever.
What to look for:
- Smooth, level playing surface (critical for fair play)
- Properly positioned pegs that won’t fall out
- Quality wood that won’t warp (maple is standard)
- Flat discs on both sides (tournament standard)
- Adequate ditch depth to catch removed discs
Most boards come with discs, but you can upgrade to better quality pieces. Additionally, powder (yes, you put shuffleboard powder in the ditch to reduce friction) comes standard with most sets.
Don’t cheap out here. Ultimately, a quality board transforms the experience and will outlast you. In fact, I’ve seen family boards passed down through generations still playing perfectly.
Who Should Play Crokinole?
Honestly? Almost everyone.
Families love it. Kids as young as 6-7 can understand the basics and have fun. At the same time, grandparents can compete on equal footing. Indeed, it’s genuinely all-ages in a way most games aren’t. Looking for more family-friendly options? Read our article on best board games for families.
Casual players appreciate the quick setup. No complicated rules, no lengthy setup, no cleanup beyond putting discs back in the bag. Furthermore, games run 15-30 minutes typically.
Competitive gamers find depth. The skill ceiling is incredibly high. As a result, you can play for years and still discover new techniques and strategies.
It’s a fantastic cottage/cabin game. Portable (well, as portable as a 10-pound wooden board can be), needs no electricity, plays great with a beer in hand. In other words, perfect for lakeside game nights.
Two players works great. Unlike many games that feel compromised at two players, crokinole might actually be best with two. Overall, the back-and-forth is intense.
Crokinole vs. Other Dexterity Games
How does crokinole stack up against similar games?
Carrom: Square board, corner pockets, more chaotic. In comparison, crokinole’s circular board and center-focused scoring feels more strategic.
Shuffleboard: Longer playing surface, different scoring mechanics. Meanwhile, crokinole is more interactive since you’re actively targeting opponent pieces. For another classic tabletop experience, see our complete shuffleboard buying guide.
Curling: Crokinole is basically tabletop curling. Specifically, the knocking mechanics, strategy, and scoring philosophy are remarkably similar.
Pitchnut: Very similar to crokinole but less standardized. In contrast, crokinole has better-defined rules and tournament structure.
The big difference? Ultimately, crokinole’s combination of the contact rule (forcing interaction) and the peg placement (creating ricochet opportunities) makes it uniquely tactical among disc-flicking games.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Things I wish someone had told me earlier:
Flicking too hard. New players assume more power equals better results. Wrong. In reality, discs that fly off the board score zero. Therefore, control beats power.
Ignoring opponent discs. The contact rule isn’t optional. Instead, plan your shots assuming you need to hit something.
Not using the whole edge. You can shoot from anywhere along your quadrant’s outer edge. Consequently, use different angles to create better shot opportunities.
Forgetting about the ditch. Getting knocked into the ditch means zero points. Obviously, position matters as much as scoring zone.
Neglecting defense. Leaving your discs in vulnerable positions just gives your opponent easy removal shots.
The Crokinole Community
One surprising thing about crokinole: the community is genuinely welcoming. Specifically, local clubs exist across Canada and are spreading worldwide. Moreover, tournament atmospheres are competitive but friendly.
Online forums and social media groups share techniques, discuss boards, and organize regional meetups. Although it’s not as massive as the chess or poker communities, it punches above its weight for such a niche game.
The documentary “Crokinole” (2006) follows competitors preparing for the World Championship. In fact, it’s worth watching if you’re curious about the competitive side.
My Take After Falling Down the Crokinole Rabbit Hole
Look, I came into this expecting a novelty game—something fun for an hour at a cottage. Instead, I found a legitimate sport-level game with centuries of history and genuine competitive depth.
Admittedly, the barrier to entry is higher than most board games (that initial board purchase hurts), but the longevity makes it worthwhile. Furthermore, this isn’t a game you’ll play 20 times and move on from. Rather, it’s a skill you develop over years. New to board gaming? Start with our beginner’s guide to board games.
If you’re the type who likes improving at things, who enjoys tactile games over card-based strategy, who appreciates craftsmanship and tradition—then crokinole is absolutely worth exploring.
Fair warning: quality crokinole boards hold their value. In fact, people sell 20-year-old boards for nearly what they paid. Obviously, that should tell you something about the game’s staying power.
Whether you’re looking for a family game that everyone can enjoy, a competitive outlet that rewards skill development, or just something different from the usual board game shelf—crokinole delivers.
Quick Reference:
- Players: 2-4 (best with 2)
- Time: 15-30 minutes per game
- Age: 6+ (realistically 8+ for full rule understanding)
- Origin: Ontario, Canada (1870s)
- Board Cost: $200-800 depending on quality
- Skill Ceiling: Very high
- World Championship: First Saturday of June, Tavistock, Ontario
