Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Crokinole has a problem: there are too many open 20s. Especially at the competitive level, there has been a huge increase in 20s scored overall, perfect rounds, double perfect rounds, and games that (while exciting to be at the table for) are tough to watch, and stray away from play on the board. For this reason, a new variation of crokinole has been put forward: the FORCED GAMBIT. Here is a rundown of the rules, try it out and let us know your thoughts, and happy flicking!
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THE RULES:
Aside from the first two shots, all rules abide to the National Crokinole Association ruleset. If you are unfamiliar, watch this video:
In this first two shots, NO DIRECT OPEN 20s are allowed! Here is what each player can do with their opening shot.
PLAYER ONE: The first shooter must make a valid shot, and not shoot a direct open 20. 20s off a post are allowed. If a direct open 20 is scored, it is considered invalid and goes in the gutter.
PLAYER TWO: The second shooter can NOT remove the other persons piece from the board. If the opponent piece is removed from play, it counts as an open 20.
In the case that player two has an open board (player one made an invalid shot, or scored a post-20), player two will abide by the same open board rules as the player who shot first: no direct 20s, make a valid shot or a post-20.
Play after the first two shots will resume as it normally would in an NCA match.
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Tracey Boards is the official board builder for the World Crokinole Championships, and founder Jeremy Tracey is the 2025 World Doubles Crokinole Champion alongside Andrew Hutchinson. Now that you've learned how to play crokinole, learn why a Tracey Crokinole Board is the board for you: traceyboards.com/learn-why-tracey-crokinole-boards
========================================
Click here for the library of all our crokinole skills tips videos:
traceyboards.com/crokinole-skills-video-series
========================================
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/TraceyBoards
========================================
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/TraceyBoards
========================================
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/traceyboards
========================================
Connect on Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@UCDqGi3WAK-JcqWfOKfh4ZTQ
========================================
0:00 Introduction
0:13 A Variation on National Crokinole Association Rules
0:22 the Criticisms
0:33 Origins of Forced Gambit
0:52 the Rules
1:56 What about later 20s Races
2:15 What's Up Next
Crokinole has a problem: there are too many open 20s. Especially at the competitive level, there has been a huge increase in 20s scored overall, perfect rounds, double perfect rounds, and games that (while exciting to be at the table for) are tough to watch, and stray away from play on the board. For this reason, a new variation of crokinole has been put forward: the FORCED GAMBIT. Here is a rundown of the rules, try it out and let us know your thoughts, and happy flicking!
========================================
THE RULES:
Aside from the first two shots, all rules abide to the National Crokinole Association ruleset. If you are unfamiliar, watch this video:
In this first two shots, NO DIRECT OPEN 20s are allowed! Here is what each player can do with their opening shot.
PLAYER ONE: The first shooter must make a valid shot, and not shoot a direct open 20. 20s off a post are allowed. If a direct open 20 is scored, it is considered invalid and goes in the gutter.
PLAYER TWO: The second shooter can NOT remove the other persons piece from the board. If the opponent piece is removed from play, it counts as an open 20.
In the case that player two has an open board (player one made an invalid shot, or scored a post-20), player two will abide by the same open board rules as the player who shot first: no direct 20s, make a valid shot or a post-20.
Play after the first two shots will resume as it normally would in an NCA match.
========================================
Tracey Boards is the official board builder for the World Crokinole Championships, and founder Jeremy Tracey is the 2025 World Doubles Crokinole Champion alongside Andrew Hutchinson. Now that you've learned how to play crokinole, learn why a Tracey Crokinole Board is the board for you: traceyboards.com/learn-why-tracey-crokinole-boards
========================================
Click here for the library of all our crokinole skills tips videos:
traceyboards.com/crokinole-skills-video-series
========================================
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/TraceyBoards
========================================
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/TraceyBoards
========================================
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/traceyboards
========================================
Connect on Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@UCDqGi3WAK-JcqWfOKfh4ZTQ
========================================
0:00 Introduction
0:13 A Variation on National Crokinole Association Rules
0:22 the Criticisms
0:33 Origins of Forced Gambit
0:52 the Rules
1:56 What about later 20s Races
2:15 What's Up Next
