Crokinole is a traditional two- or four-player dexterity game, played on a circular wooden board, with 3 rings and an inner recessed 'bullseye'. A ring of posts is set around the inner circle, which functions as an obstacle to reach this area. Playing pieces are wooden circular disks similar to checkers pieces. Players take turns shooting disks across the board by flicking them with their fingers in an effort to land them in the highest scoring ring on the board, the highest score (20 points) achieved by shooting a disk into the centre, recessed hole. From the outside in, rings are worth 5, 10, 15 points.
As a traditional game, there are often many variations played, but the following method is based on the National Crokinole Association's rules which also govern the World Crokinole Championship.
Each disk to be shot must be placed on the outer boundary and within the shooting player's quadrant. If there are no opponent's disks on the board, the shot disk must land in the inner ring or it is removed. If there is an opponent's disk on the board, the shot disk must hit an opponent's piece, either directly, or by bumping another disk into it. Disks landing in the centre hole are removed and scored at the end of the round. Disks that lie outside--or are touching--the outer boundary after each shot are removed from play for the round.
The player to score the most points wins the round and scores 2 points, and if a tie, each player scores 1 point. A "game" is usually played to four rounds. The number of "games" in a match is set by the tournament.
Alternatively, play is to a set score, usually the first player or team to 100, and each round is scored by cancellation. For example if Player One scores 250, and Player Two scores 225, then Player One will add 25 to his/her game score.
- classic dexterity gameplay
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dexterity/Flicking — players flick discs to score on a board; highly tactile and social.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Pax unplugged is my favorite show — the venue, the food proximity, the security and organization all come together beautifully.
- City of Brotherly Love — the people and the vibe really felt welcoming during the show.
- Andor was awesome — top five Star Wars material for some of us.
References (from this video)
- Simple yet brilliant mechanic
- Excellent for all ages; builds skill over time
- Requires precision and practice to master
- Can be physically intense for very young players
- pure dexterity and competitive play
- classic disc-flipping finger game on a circular board
- family rivalry with moments of awe and praise
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- center-hole scoring — points awarded for getting discs into the central hole
- Disc flicking — flicking discs toward a central hole and opponent discs
- tabletop clearance — hitting opponent discs off the board to gain advantage
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's pretty unique game, right? It's literally golf like on your table or floor
- I actually really love that you can make the hills just taking like a little plate or bowl and putting under it
- You're trying to get a lot of chocolate bars, right? And why do you want to get a lot of chocolate bars?
- This game is so fun
- Toby is shockingly good at this game
- It's such a simple but brilliant mechanism
- You're trying to trap the king
- This is a kid's game that adults can find challenging
- We went full Charlie in the chocolate factory in our household for a while
- The ending like that? Killer Bunnies
References (from this video)
- Ranked number 54 on Board Game Geek
- Satisfying to land disc in center
- Tactile and pleasant to play
- Diabolical blocking mechanics
- Unreasonably fun
- Requires large wooden board that is expensive and hard to store
- Not easy to own due to size requirements
- Classic dexterity
- Wooden board game
- Head-to-head competition
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Blocking — Players can knock opponent's discs around to ruin their plans
- dexterity — Players flick wooden discs across a circular board to score points
- Disc flicking — Take turns flicking circular wooden discs to land in scoring zones
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I've seen enough 90 sitcoms to know it's never a good idea to try to be in two places at once
- conventions are the perfect place to play a game that requires a larger group
- at a convention the people who signed up to play probably really want to be there
- I'm easily distracted at a convention it's a lot of stimulus and it's overwhelming
- it's quick and shouty and silly and it always goes over really well
- it's unreasonably fun and lovely and feels really good to play from a pure really tactile perspective
- it's wacky high energy dexterity silliness and that's honestly everything I want while at a convention
- I mean no accomplishment feels as good as that
- it's so simple and so good and it makes me laugh with my friends
- knowing when to try and win a trick and when to try and lose a trick makes me feel so dang smart
- it's fascinating that depending on the style of the people I'm playing with the game can feel really different
- it's just it's dang good y'all
References (from this video)
- Deep skill ceiling for players who practice
- Excellent head-to-head micro-games with frequent play
- Spectacular competition with a tactile feel
- Relatively expensive to acquire a full setup
- Requires table space and proper playing surface
- Precision flicking with a central hole and edge rails
- Classic flicking disc game on a circular board
- head-to-head duel with subtle strategic pressure
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- center-and-elimination strategy — shots can clear discs or approach the center for scoring leverage
- flicking / precision aiming — players flick discs toward a central hole to score or clear discs
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Beating up on my kids in these games is really what brings my life meaning.
- this is a shared list. I don't think we clarified that.
- the box literally becomes the arena that you're playing in.
- it's cooperative. You're all working as a team here.
- world championships of this game.
References (from this video)
- Gorgeous wood boards; tactile and satisfying
- Versatile for parties and events
- Can be pricey depending on edition
- Requires space for a proper setup
- classic flicking strategy
- Tabletop dexterity disc flicking
- traditional, tactile
- Clask
- Dexterity-style games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- collision & knock-out — hit opponent's discs to knock them off the board
- flicking/aiming — flick wooden discs to score by landing in rings
- scoring by ring — points awarded based on final ring position
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a double feature game. So, it's actually two games.
- It's totally affordable and you can print-at-home.
- Reverse Jenga with cats.
- Crocodile is the greatest dexterity game.
References (from this video)
- Classic game
- Skill-based
- Great for parties
- Historical significance
- Disk flicking
- Precision skill game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Disk flicking — Players flick disks to score points and knock opponents' disks
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Looking into the future 50 years from now our kids or our nieces and nephews are gonna be rummaging around in our closet
References (from this video)
- Addictive two-player head-to-head with great rhythm
- Casual and competitive balance well
- Not everyone enjoys dexterity-heavy play
- dexterity/human skill
- tabletop flicking arena
- party-game vibe with head-to-head play
- Teach You
- Dueling dexterity games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flicking / dexterity — Players flick discs toward a central target while opponents’ discs can interfere.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- There's no turning back.
- Race for the Galaxy is a contender for the best.
- The dopamine rush of every chip you draw from that bag.
- Quacks of Quedlinburg is such a pure fun game.
- Feast for Odin is a big sandbox design.
- Teach You is by far my favorite card game in terms of teaching and playing with new people.
References (from this video)
- evergreen dexterity appeal; easy to pick up
- high replayability and family-friendly
- not as mainstream as some eurogames
- age and accessibility vary by table setup
- pure skill and luck balancing with strategy
- tabletop dexterity flicking
- evergreen, accessible party game
- Clask
- Air Hockey variants
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flicking — players flick discs to score and knock opponents
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the box is worn, it is beaten, and yet it is still holding strong
- you've got to have four people and you have to play it with people that you're going to be able to play with again
- the tension of those things... I love the stress and the bet of 'is this the right move?'
- it's the granddaddy of the genre
- Race for the Galaxy sits the top of the list
References (from this video)
- evergreen dexterity appeal
- easy to pick up for all ages
- some games can feel repetitive without variants
- precision and timing with a wooden board
- tabletop dexterity flicking
- classic, casual competition
- Clask
- Jenga-style dexterity games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flicking — slide discs across a circular board to score
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the box is worn, it is beaten, and yet it is still holding strong
- you've got to have four people and you have to play it with people that you're going to be able to play with again
- the tension of those things... I love the stress and the bet of 'is this the right move?'
- it's the granddaddy of the genre
- Race for the Galaxy sits the top of the list
References (from this video)
- Quick filler game
- Tons of intrigue
- Play until pass out
- Still in BGG top 100 after many years
- Great party game
- Anyone can learn in seconds
- Mini tournament potential
- Competitive dexterity game
- Abstract disc flicking
- Abstract
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Score points based on disc positions
- dexterity — Flick discs to hit center or knock opponent discs off
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- What does it tell about the board game if you play it a lot - you don't have any other board games or it's really really good
- It's freaking amazing - one of the best games of all time
- Best story writing I have ever played in board games - it makes me feel things
- This is a game where you cannot lose
- All the heroes have died fighting these monsters and all that's left is well you
- There's a reason why this really old game is still on BGG's top 100
References (from this video)
- Engaging back-and-forth play that rewards timing, touch, and strategic thought, making the game compelling even for repetitive sessions.
- High skill ceiling with a wide variety of shots and tactical options; players can continuously improve and discover new approaches as discs distribute differently.
- Rule-driven depth that scales with experience, where understanding the mandatory-hit rule unlocks deeper planning and counterplay.
- Exciting potential for spectacular shots and combos, including multi-disc clears and precision holes, which can create memorable moments.
- Steep learning curve for newcomers who must internalize the core hit-rule interactions and the board's evolving geometry.
- Requires a sufficiently large table or dedicated crokinole board—space considerations can limit casual play in smaller environments.
- The core theme is competitive dexterity: a head-to-head duel of skill, strategy, and nerve as players aim to sink discs into scoring holes while simultaneously forcing the opponent into less favorable positions. The tension comes from balancing offense (sinking your discs) with defense (disrupting the opponent's discs and denying them points).
- Crokinole is a tabletop dexterity game played on a round board typically placed on a dining or game table. In casual contexts it appears in living rooms, gaming cafes, or family gatherings where players sit opposite one another and flick wooden discs toward a central pit and peripheral holes. The setting emphasizes social interaction, precision, and a shared space where competition unfolds in a compact, tactile environment.
- Instructional and observational with a focus on process, rhythm, and emergent tactics. The narration emphasizes how a single rule cascades into a wide array of strategic choices and dynamic table states.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clearing and denial — A well-placed shot can clear opponent's discs from the board or hamper their ability to score efficiently. This mechanic rewards precision and control, as removing trouble discs can shift the momentum of a game.
- Hole-based scoring — Discs are fired with the goal of landing them in holes on the board. Each successful sink contributes to the player's score, while misfires or rival hits can alter the board state and swing points toward the opponent.
- Mandatory contact rule — If the opponent has any discs on the board, you must hit one of their discs to make a legal shot. This rule creates immediate interaction and forces players to consider positional retaliation rather than purely targeting their own discs.
- Rhythm-driven 1v1 play — The back-and-forth nature of single-elimination, head-to-head play fosters a natural rhythm. The cadence of shots—alternating turns, adjustments, and subtle feints—creates momentum swings and opportunities to exploit distribution patterns on the board.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- But what makes this game so fascinating
- and so much bang for your buck out of
- one rule like this one rule like makes Crokenol and it's the rule that if your opponent has any discs on the board you must hit one of their discs to have a legal shot.
- So that means that once your opponent's out there now it's this game of trying to hit theirs to clear theirs off so that they don't get points while also hitting yours to get closer to the hole or in the hole.
- And it just when you're playing one on-one, you're just getting so many shots just back and forth, back and forth.
- You get into a really nice rhythm.
- Interesting shots, skillful shots.
- Even when you've played the game a lot, you'll find kind of new situations with how the discs are distributed out there.
- You definitely possibility for amazing shots in this one, whether it's clearing multiple shots or clearing something and making it into the hole.
- Um, it just works so
References (from this video)
- Cube Quest
- Catacombs
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Formula D is really the epitome of roll and move games in the modern era
- Settlers of Catan which was perhaps the most significant euro game that really sparked this whole new wave of modern board games
- Yahtzee has become a mechanic in its own right
- epitomises dice games really and how far they've come
- this is a bit of a tricky one to learn, it's well worth the effort
- ridiculously more fun than it should be
- playing with children it's fantastical
- absolutely brilliant
- this is my top 10 different ways to use dice in wooden board games
References (from this video)
- simple to learn
- fun to teach others
- great for casual play at events
- dexterity, precision, flicking
- tabletop, casual play at events
- abstract/party-game style
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- flicking/dexterity — Players flick wooden discs across a board to score points based on position.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is the oldest game that I own bar none.
- We are having a lot of fun with it.
- It's just one of those things. I always take it to our board game events and I said it there.
- One of the players can actually be the thief now, and they can try to sneak in and steal paintings.
- This is from the Civil War version of the Commands and Colors system.
- One card in there was pretty overpowered and it really just determined in some aspect who got that card.