Risk vs. Reward

By Cheryl Bromley

There is much more to the golf croquet than many people realize. Not only does it involve a variety of skills to execute particular shots, but it also requires learning about the characteristics of the lawn, figuring out the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and determining the risk and reward of the tactics to use in a particular game. It’s this last component that we’ll focus on for this article.

In any given match, the game can play out in several ways. For example, you might get off to a quick start and take an early lead or maybe you exchange hoops back and forth with your opponent and the match stays close. Or, perhaps you have a come-frombehind surge to finish out the game.

Regardless of the situation, you will have times when more than a couple of shot choices are available. This is when it’s particularly important to consider the percentages of making the shots you’re attempting. Here’s an example: let’s say you’ve taken an early lead of 4-1 and at the sixth hoop you have a 10-foot straight hoop shot with Black, even though your opponent’s Yellow is three feet from the hoop on a slight angle.

Ask yourself, “How many times out of 10 do I think I can make this hoop?” versus “How many times out of 10 can I clear Yellow and stay relevant near the hoop?”

If you’re feeling confident in your hoop shooting and the 10-foot shot is one you feel you can make a good percentage of the time, why not take the shot? You’re ahead 4-1, after all. Whatever you decide, be sure you commit to the shot, go through your pre-shot routine and take your time executing the shot. The final thought to have as you take your shot is a positive one of the ball going through the hoop.

A higher-risk shot that is successful obviously feels great and, often, offers a bigger payout, but the lesson here is to take a moment to be clear on your decision. Also, times will occur when you have no other good choice and you will have to go for it.

Now, let’s turn that example around with you trailing in the game with a score of 1-4. Prior to this hoop, you’ve missed a couple of hoop attempts and now feel your hoop shooting from this distance is at about 50 percent. In this scenario, you might also feel more pressure because if you do not make the hoop and Yellow does, you’ll be behind 1-5, leaving a lot of work to catch up and stay in the game.

This is when it might be more prudent to clear Yellow with Black where, hopefully, the percentage or odds of making that shot are better. The process is still the same: commit to the clearing shot, go through your pre-shot routine and take your time executing the shot. Think positive.

In a number of situations, it is often considered smarter to play the higher percentage shot rather than taking a riskier shot, as this will increase your chances of success. There are multiple factors to consider in that decision, and these can change throughout the course of a game. These include the score, time remaining, confidence in and probability of your shot and an opponent’s abilities. Play smart!

It is Black to play.

1. Consider the percentages of executing each option.

2. Take into account the game situation

3. Commit to the shot you choose.