Quick Overview 🚀
Welcome to Cardinal Ball! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start playing this exciting game of skill, strategy, and sips. Get ready to aim, throw, and (maybe) drink!
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Players
2 (1 vs 1) or 4 (2 vs 2)
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Objective
Score 7 points (win by 2) by knocking the ball off opponent’s pole.
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The Gist
Throw a ball to knock another ball off a pole. Simple, right? Add drinks for extra fun!
What You’ll Need 🛠️
Gather these items, and you’re ready for Cardinal Ball action! Most can be found around the house or easily acquired.
2 Poles
(Keg height, ~23-24 in)
2 Target Balls
(e.g., Whiffle balls)
1 Throwing Ball
(e.g., Racquetball)
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Measuring Tape
(For setup)
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Drinks!
(Of choice)
Game Setup 🏞️
Setting up is quick and easy. Follow these steps to create your Cardinal Ball arena:
- Pole Placement: Position the two poles upright, parallel to each other.
- Distance: The distance between the front of the two poles should be 14 feet. Use your measuring tape!
- Target Ball Placement: Carefully balance one target ball on top of each pole.
- Player Positioning:
- 2-Player Game (1 vs 1): Each player stands behind one pole.
- 4-Player Game (2 vs 2): One player from each team at each pole (teammates are at opposite ends).
- Starting Team: Flip a coin to decide who throws first.
Player/Team A
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14 FEET
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Player/Team B
Ensure poles are stable and target balls are balanced before starting.
How to Play 🎯
The game is played in turns, with each team getting three (3) throws per turn. The goal is to knock the target ball off your opponent’s pole.
Throwing Mechanics:
Standard Throw: Bounce It!
For a standard throw, the throwing ball MUST bounce at least once on the ground before hitting (or attempting to hit) the opponent’s pole or target ball.
HIT: Scores 1 POINT.
DRINK: Opposing team takes a penalty drink.
This is your bread-and-butter throw. Master the bounce!
Retrieving the Ball:
If a throw misses (and it was a bounce throw, or a no-bounce throw that hit), the throwing player/team retrieves the ball. For a missed no-bounce throw, the thrower specifically retrieves it.
“Clean Sweep” Bonus 🎉:
If a team successfully knocks the target ball off with all three (3) of their throws in a single turn, they get a bonus round of three (3) additional throws! The drinking rule applies for bonus hits too.
Player Roles (4-Player Game):
Teammates at the same end alternate throws. The player whose pole is *not* being targeted is the one throwing. After three throws, pass the ball to the opponent at that end.
Winning the Game 🏆
Victory is sweet, especially in Cardinal Ball!
- The first team to reach 7 points wins.
- You must win by 2 points. If the score is 6-6, play continues until one team leads by two (e.g., 8-6).
Key Rules & Fair Play 📜
Keep these in mind for a smooth and fun game:
- Legal Throws: Always throw from behind your pole line. Standard throws need at least one bounce. No-bounce throws are optional with specific outcomes.
- No Interference: Players cannot interfere with a thrown ball. Defending players cannot touch their pole or target ball to prevent it from falling if hit – doing so results in a point(s) for the throwing team.
- Resetting: After a point, the defending team resets the target ball. If the pole itself falls due to a hit, reset that too.
- Sportsmanship: Play fair, communicate clearly, and agree on drink sizes/types beforehand. Most importantly, have fun and drink responsibly!