Winter keeps more people indoors, and it also turns attention to games that suit the season. Curling and crokinole are two of the best examples. One is played on ice with heavy stones and a broom; the other is played on a polished wooden board with small discs. Despite the obvious differences, they share the same core skills: precise aim, careful weight, and smart strategy. Both are easy to learn and take years to master.
This guide explains what each game is, how it is played, how scoring works, and how the two compare. It also covers simple ways to try both games this winter, even if you have never stepped onto ice or flicked a disc before.
Why Curling and Crokinole Pair Well in Winter
The two games fit the colder months for several practical reasons:
- They are both target games. Success depends on placing an object exactly where you want it, not on speed or strength.
- They balance each other. Curling gets you out of the house and moving on ice; crokinole keeps you warm at a table indoors.
- They suit mixed groups. Children, adults, and grandparents can play crokinole together, and curling clubs commonly run beginner sessions for all ages.
- They are social. Both games are played in turns, which leaves plenty of time for conversation between shots.
- They reward patience. A rushed shot in either game usually ends up costing points.
What Is Curling?
Curling is a team sport played on a long sheet of ice. Players slide heavy granite stones toward a circular target at the far end, while teammates sweep the ice in front of a moving stone to influence its path and distance. It is often described as chess on ice because strategy matters as much as delivery.
How Curling Is Played
- Two teams of four take turns delivering stones from one end of the sheet to the other.
- Each player delivers two stones per end, alternating with the opposing team.
- A player pushes out of a starting block, slides low on the ice, and releases the stone with a gentle rotation.
- Teammates sweep ahead of the stone to reduce friction, which helps it travel farther and curl less.
- A team captain, called the skip, stands at the far end and calls the strategy for each shot.
- The team that throws the last stone of the end has an advantage, often called the hammer.
Curling Scoring
Only one team scores in each end. After all sixteen stones have been thrown, the team with the stone closest to the center of the target scores one point for every stone that is nearer to the center than the opponent’s closest stone. An end can be worth several points, or none at all. A typical game lasts eight or ten ends.
Curling Equipment
- A set of curling stones, each weighing roughly twenty kilograms
- Two curling brooms per team
- Curlers’ shoes, which have one sliding sole and one gripping sole
- A slider worn over the sliding foot for beginners
- Warm, stretchy clothing that allows a deep sliding position
Most clubs provide stones and brooms, so new players usually only need warm clothing and clean shoes.
What Is Crokinole?
Crokinole is a tabletop game played on a round wooden board roughly 66 centimeters across. The board has a center hole worth the most points and a series of concentric rings, with a raised outer ditch and small pegs arranged around the playing surface. Players flick small wooden discs with their fingers, trying to land in high-scoring areas and knock opponents’ discs away.
How Crokinole Is Played
- Two players or two teams of two sit on opposite sides of the board.
- Each side starts with an equal number of discs in a different color.
- Players take turns flicking one disc from the outer shooting line.
- After the first disc, every shot must touch an opponent’s disc, either directly or by banking off a peg.
- Discs that land in the ditch or leave the board are removed from play.
- Play continues until all discs have been thrown, completing one round.
Crokinole Scoring
The center hole is worth the most points, and each ring outward is worth fewer. After a round, players add up the value of their discs on the board, and the difference between the two totals is the score. Games are typically played to a set number of points, often one hundred.
Crokinole Equipment
- A circular crokinole board with a center hole, rings, ditch, and pegs
- Twelve discs per player or team, in two colors
- A smooth, level table surface
- Optional board wax or polish to keep discs gliding evenly
How the Two Games Compare
Similarities
- Object placement is everything. Both games are about where an object stops, not how hard it is thrown.
- Weight control matters. Too much or too little force spoils an otherwise good line.
- Takeout shots exist in both. In curling you can remove an opponent’s stone; in crokinole you can knock an opponent’s disc off the board.
- Both are turn-based and quiet. Concentration is part of the appeal.
Differences
- Setting. Curling needs an ice rink; crokinole needs only a table.
- Team size. Curling is played four against four; crokinole is played one against one or two against two.
- Physical demand. Curling involves sliding, sweeping, and balance; crokinole involves a seated or standing flick of the finger.
- Cost and access. A crokinole board is a one-time purchase for home use, while curling is usually played at a club with rented ice time.
How to Try Curling for the First Time
- Look for a local curling club that offers beginner or open-house sessions.
- Book ahead, since introductory sessions fill quickly in winter.
- Wear loose, warm layers you can move in, plus a hat and gloves.
- Bring clean indoor shoes with good grip.
- Ask about a slider for your sliding foot if one is not provided.
- Start with basic delivery practice before attempting full ends.
You do not need to own any equipment to begin. Most clubs supply stones, brooms, and sliders for newcomers.
How to Start Playing Crokinole at Home
- Choose a board with a smooth finish and a clear, deep center hole.
- Set it on a level table with enough room to sit comfortably on all sides.
- Keep the surface clean and free of dust so discs glide predictably.
- Learn the shooting line rules and the contact requirement before your first game.
- Play a few practice rounds to one hundred points to get a feel for weight control.
Hosting a Winter Game Night With Both
- Split the evening. Play crokinole indoors first, then head to a rink session, or reverse the order.
- Keep score visibly. A simple sheet or small board helps everyone follow along.
- Print short rule summaries. New players pick up both games faster with a one-page reference.
- Alternate teams. Mixing players keeps the games friendly and helps beginners learn from experienced ones.
- Plan for breaks. Both games involve standing or sitting for long stretches, so schedule pauses.
Common Questions
Is crokinole related to curling?
No. They developed separately and use completely different equipment. The connection is stylistic: both are precision games of aim, weight, and strategy.
Do you need a special board to play crokinole?
Yes. Crokinole requires a round board with a center hole, rings, a ditch, and pegs. Flat surfaces or generic tables will not work because the pegs and ditch are part of the rules.
Is curling difficult for complete beginners?
The delivery takes practice, but the basics can be learned in a single session. Balance and patience matter more than strength.
Can children play either game?
Yes. Crokinole is popular with children because it needs only a light flick. Curling clubs often run youth programs with lighter stones and adapted delivery techniques.
Final Thoughts
Curling and crokinole make a natural winter pair because they teach the same lessons: pick a line, judge the weight, and think one shot ahead. Curling offers ice, teamwork, and sweeping; crokinole offers a warm table, simple rules, and quick rounds. Trying both is a practical way to stay active and entertained through the coldest months.
If you want more straightforward guidance on seasonal activities, indoor games, and everyday how-tos, explore the other helpful guides on the site.