Knipsbrat

Choner Crokinole Championship 2014

Choner

Apparently, October 18 was a big day for crokinole players across the continent. At the top of the list the NCA sanctioned Ontario Doubles Crokinole Championship has held in Brucefield, ON. A couple other fun events were being held: #Crokchella in Calgary and of course, the 4th annual Choner Crokinole Championship in Astoria, Queens, NY.

It's quite impressive the event that Erik and Lisa put on year after year. And each year, they bring it to another level. An fun and slightly irreverent event attended by over 30 people, Erik likes to say the event is more about the giveaways than crokinole. This year's mascot was the Choner Chicken, and everyone walked away with their very own stuffed chicken complete with Choner t-shirt.

Choner Swag

True to tradition, Erik's brother, Matthew, wore the "First Loser" sash on account of his runner-up status from 2013 throughout the event. Erik's introductory address also described the tournament format. Each participant would be placed into a group of 4 which would compete in a round robin. The group ranking establishes the single elimination bracket by tier (4 tiers). From the Championship Chalice to the "Bottle of Barrel" jar, Erik awards bracket winner and cool engraved momento from the event.

As I drew my group number, Erik apologized to Avri K (the inaugural Choner Champion) for my placement into his group. Erik also highlighted my past competitive crokinole experience at the World Championships. Though he didn't mention how outclassed I was in Tavistock. Through a bit of embarrassment, I ventured on, helping a few crokinole new comers with the rules and gameplay.

Choner games are played 12 discs-a-player and first-to-100 with exception of the championship final which is played first to 200. During the group stage, I played with familiar faces from 2013 and found my last group match with fellow former champion Avri. Our head to head match up would decide 1st and 2nd place. "Which board do you want to play on?" "Not yours." "No problem, not yours either."

Avri and I found one of Erik's Hilinski boards and started our round. Its always interesting to play on different boards even at the same event. With some defensive play, I was able to edge out Avri to enter the championship bracket.

Avri in the group round

There were only 28 players in the group stage, so each bracket had 7 players. Erik cleverly devised a scheme for each tier to establish a player with a first-round-bye: One shot each, buy goes to the player with the closest-to-the-center shot, eyes closed for 3 seconds. Not really the test of skill I was going for, but I was pleased to secure a buy ("Shocker!" exclaimed Erik) with a hanger.

Chicken wings, salads, nachos, and more than a few pints were had as the brackets began play, taking turns on the approximately 9 boards that were brought out. It really was a fun location and great to meet so many interesting people. I was also excited to witness one of the strangest shots I think that has ever been seen in crokinole. As Mike's disc was not laying "flat" in the center hole, it was ruled a "15."

Not a twenty

In the second round of the championship bracket, I faced my friend and coworker, Mark in his first appearance in a "competitive" crokinole event. I vanquished him handily (love you, man) and earned my right to deliver him his participation ribbon (irreverently labeled "Loser"). I then got an opportunity to watch the other semifinal match. It was a long match, each round rather delivering more than 10 points. Until Josh Z finished his opponent witha 35 point round.

We began the championship round winning our respective "hammer games." Fortunately I was able to hold Josh to 5-10 point games and score 20-30 point games to get to an early lead. With Josh under pressure, I was able to adjust conservatively and secure a successful title defense. I've heard rumors that Erik has "special rules" and plans for me next year, so I'm sure the target on my back has only become bigger.

If you find yourself in the New York City area in mid October, I highly recommend you join us at an upcoming Choner Crokinole event. Erik puts on a great time, and is especially great at designing t-shirts.

Vitruvian Chicken

Posted Sun 19 October 2014 by Demian in Competition

2014 World Crokinole Championships

WCC_2014_Logo

This past June, I found a reason to repeat what might have been a once-just-to-do-it trip to Tavistock, ON for the World Crokinole Championships: I was able to convince my brother and my father to join Kieran and I. What a great time.

It would be hard for my father ...

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Posted Sat 07 June 2014 by Demian in Competition (WCC)

Adult Singles - WCC 2013

WCC_2013_Logo

The World Crokinole Championships are an all day event. Doubles categories starts by 8:30am. Singles categories are held in the afternoon and evening.

As Kieran headed over to compete in the juniors (6-10) category, I got in line to draw my number for the competitive singles category: the main ...

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Posted Sat 15 June 2013 by Demian in Competition (WCC)

Pichenotte - Crokinole by another name

Pichenotte Board

Dave and Norm Lagasse of Sante Fe, New Mexico: ~ Like so many other families of Canadian descent, among our most valued family heirlooms is a "pichenotte" board (shown at left). Ours was made by our grandfather, Lucien Rajotte, back in 1926 out of a wooden starch crate (you can still ...

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Posted Sun 09 June 2013 by Demian in Boards

Recreational Doubles - WCC 2013

WCC_2013_Logo WCC_2013_Rec_Doubles

The World Crokinole Championships are an all day event. Doubles categories starts by 8:30am. Singles categories are held in the afternoon and evening.

My son, Kieran, and I entered the recreational doubles category. Simultaneously, the competitive category and the cues category held their tournaments.

The first round of the ...

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Posted Sat 01 June 2013 by Demian in Competition (WCC)

2013 World Crokinole Championships

WCC_2013_Logo

From Last Year:

Each year, on the first Saturday in June, the National Crokinole Association (Canada) begins the new tour season with the World Crokinole Championships in Tavistock, Ontario.

Players from around the world travel to compete for bragging rights and cash prizes ($1,000 CAD for the first place ...

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Posted Sat 01 June 2013 by Demian in Competition (WCC)

A Crokinole Birthday (the gift of crokinole pt 2)

Wiilardpro

While playing cards with my family this morning, I saw the mailman pull up out front for an apparent second delivery. With my birthday coming up soon, I wondered what may have arrived from Amazon.com or similar online store.

However, when I watched him pull out a large square ...

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Posted Sat 09 June 2012 by Demian in Boards

2012 World Crokinole Championships

Each year, on the first Saturday in June, the National Crokinole Association (Canada) begins the new tour season with the World Crokinole Championships in Tavistock, Ontario.

Players from around the world travel to compete for bragging rights and cash prizes ($1,000 CAD for the first place singles winner). The ...

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Posted Mon 04 June 2012 by Demian in Competition

New Handmade Boards by Allinent on eBay

Allinet Crokinole

During my research on Crokinole craftsman, I had come across a few photographs of boards made by "Allinent." One of the side effects of ordering a handcrafted item, is waiting for it to be handcrafted and delivered.

Occasionally, you'll find the Hilinski's maintaining small inventory. Today, I noticed ...

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Posted Tue 08 May 2012 by Demian in Boards

NCA Tour Finale at St. Jacob's

The NCA (National Crokinole Association) Tour begins the first Saturday of each June with the World Crokinole Championships in Tavistock, ON. Today is the tour finale with the St. Jacob's tournament as previously mentioned on this blog.

As a Canadian-American [ :D ] fan of the game, its one of those ...

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Posted Sat 05 May 2012 by Demian in Competition

Crokinole brings people together

Oldest known crokinole board

Crokinole is a game with unique culture that naturally brings people together. I was reminded of this while playing doubles with my brother, son and father-in-law over the weekend.

Within a family

Similar to card games, and traditional board games such as backgammon, checkers, and chess, crokinole is a low ...

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Posted Tue 01 May 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

A Crokinole Shake

Crokinole lovers should consider heading over to http://mlkshk.com/crokinole

to view a stream of Board photographs that I've started to collect. Please sign up, and "join" my shake to contribute your own Crokinole photos.

While there are several sources of board photos around the web, I hope ...

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Posted Fri 20 April 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

The gift of crokinole

Burton by Hilinski

Today is my father's birthday. I imagine he's been watching my recent crokinole obsession with both curiosity and a bit of familiarity. Obsessive hobbies run in the family.

What might be particularly funny for long time Knipsbrat readers, is that it wasn't immediately obvious that this would ...

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Posted Tue 17 April 2012 by Demian in Boards

Clockwork Crokinole: Crokinole for the PC

Clockwork Crokinole hit the internet this past week. It appears to have been developed by Evan Smith of Nova Scotia, CA (as "Mud Puddle Games") based on GarageGames Torque2D engine.

The mechanics, ambient sound, and animations are "steampunk" style and have a nice feel to them. Easy mode is a ...

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Posted Sat 14 April 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

A new Crokinole blog

Nathan Walsh, a ranked Crokinole player, just started a new blog called CrokinoleCentre with a post recapping the results of the 2012 London Crokinole tournament. Nathan is also a prolific poster of crokinole videos on youtube, you should check out his channel.

Posted Tue 03 April 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Crokinole Hangout

Armed with an iPhone and tripod mount, my brother and I put on a live demonstration of crokinole for our parents.

I'm sure this is possible with Skype or similar, but there was something funny about the multiple camera angle effect with both players' faces as well as a ...

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Posted Sun 01 April 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Fresh wax for the win

Shortly after receiving my Puzzler board, I wrote about the process and results of waxing. I performed my second waxing today and went out of my way to be more generous with the wax as well as letting it dry for 20 minutes before wiping it off. I basically let ...

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Posted Sun 25 March 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Crokinole - The Movie

Crokinole (2006)

I haven't got my hands on a copy yet, but in 2006, a movie was made. Directed by Joshua &Jonathan Steckley, the film reportedly introduces us to characters such as Mr. Crokinole (Wayne Kelly), Willard Martin and "the Wayne Gretzky of Crokinole", Joe Fulop, in a light ...

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Posted Fri 16 March 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Crokinole - quick to learn

While hosting a birthday party for my 9 year old and 7 of his friends,no had to opportunity to teach several of them crokinole. By first demonstrating the flicking dynamic and showing the goal of hitting the center of the board, they quickly understood what was required to take ...

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Posted Sat 03 March 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Gamecraft Quadpod: too tall

Gamecraft Quadpod

The Gamecraft Quadpod initially looks like a compelling and inexpensive portable table for a Crokinole board. Unfornately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Fortunately I found an inexpensive version on eBay. The image available widely online shows a thin rectangular surface. This is NOT included with or attached ...

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Posted Thu 01 March 2012 by Demian in Accessories

Joys of playing crokinole

Having actually been playing the game for a couple of weeks, allow me to share some of the joys I've discovered.

The large board aside, its quick and easy to play a round or 2 of crokinole. Sit down, separate the discs and start flicking. A quick round can ...

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Posted Sat 25 February 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Crokinole is a winter wondergame

Setup my new crokinole board on a 32" inch table in the family room for the long weekend. 2 person games, 4 person games, adult games, and kid games. While I wouldn't call it an obsession, it got plenty of play from both my family and our hosts.

As ...

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Posted Wed 22 February 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Does crokinole travel?

Over president's day weekend, here in the United States, my family is traveling north to Vermont to stay and ski with friends. Our friends have a nice home close to a ski area and enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I've decided to ...

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Posted Sat 18 February 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Crokinole Board by Muzzies

Muzzies

Crokinole1

The first board I ordered arrived from Nova Scotia today. Sue shipped the board only 6 days ago, not bad for international postal service.

The board is maple plywood with a Red Chestnut stained playing surface, and clear poly for the ditch and rails. Murray and Sue do excellent finish ...

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Posted Thu 16 February 2012 by Demian in Boards

Waxing my wood

Carnuba Wax

Having found some inconsistencies with my first set of discs and significant impact on the speed of the board. I ventured out of my house to find some pure carnuba paste wax. Boardgamegreek and other crokinole forum's highly recommend "Mothers pure carnuba wax."

Many car waxes, such as Turtle-brand ...

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Posted Tue 14 February 2012 by Demian in Accessories

Crokinole Solitaire

Solitaire_crokinole

In the few times that I haven't had a partner since receiving my board. I figure I want to practice and develop my skills.

A clean solitaire game has emerged.

  1. Place opposing 12 discs on the board in a predictable arrangement

    • I recommend around the 5/10 line at ...

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Posted Sun 12 February 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Puzzler board arrived

My Puzzler Board

Murphy's Law held true as my board arrived Thursday when out of town and couldn't play with it. The next day, flight delays continued to separate me from my obsession.

An email exchange with the Joel Harper (the builder), reassured me that he was as anxious to hear ...

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Posted Sat 11 February 2012 by Demian in Boards

A virtual fix for crokinole junkies

Croke

Since discovering the game, and reading everything I can find online, and ordering my own board. It became obvious that I ought to experience the game in some form.

I was able to find a version of the game for my iPad (its acutally designed for the iPhone/iPod touch ...

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Posted Sat 04 February 2012 by Demian in Crokinole

Can't wait...

Puzzler

I know I've gone mental, while I await the work of art I ordered from Muzzies, I began to imagine sharing the game with others. Bring the board to the office to show to friends and colleagues, bring the board to VT to play with friends and family, having ...

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Posted Thu 02 February 2012 by Demian in Boards