What is Brier ball?

OBJECT - to score more points than opposition in ten ends of regulation play (if tied, an extra end(s) is needed to determine an individual winner or team winner)

EQUIPMENT - The equipment consists of a game board which is in two section. Two sets of eight balls of two different colours and a score board. Putters are needed but not included. Each player may have his/her own personal putter or share putter(s) with other team members or opposing members.

PREPARATION - place the two sections of the board on the floor parallel to each other. Then slide the two sections together, lining up the dowels and secure together the latches on both sides. Place the two sets of golf balls on opposite sides of the gutter at one end of the board. Mount the score board on the wall or set it on the table. You are now ready to play "BRIER BALL".

RULES OF THE GAME - The ruls of "BRIER BALL" are very similar to curling. Teams may consist of 1 to 4 players per team using all sixteen balls EXAMPLE:
1 player per team - 8 balls each
2 players per team - 4 balls each
3 players per team - 1st and 2nd player, 3 palls each, 3rd player 2 balls
4 players per team - 2 balls each

To begin the game one member of each team is chosen to determine who gets the hammer in the opening end. The first player putts his/her ball from the hack trying to get closest to the t-line. Mark the first players ball with in play with the coin and the chosen player from the opposite team then putts, closest gets the hammer.

All balls must be putted from inside the hack. (see definitions). If any ball dies not completely cross the hog line it is removed from play. Only if the ball comes into contact with the ball in play and does not go completely over the hog line does it remain in play. If any ball is shot or knocked out of play and deflects back to the playing surface it shall be removed and any balls it came into contact with will be placed back to their origin as best determined by the opposition

The first three balls are played under the rules of the free guard zone. (See difinitions)

Balls played throughout the end are alternated between two teams. after all sixteen balls have been played the score is then determined. A team scores one point for each ball that is closest to the button.

The team which scores a point(s) then putts firs, losing the hammer to the opposing team.

If no points are scored in any given end the hammer is retained by the same team.

Keeping Score

1. Balls have to remain on putting surface, if putted into the out of bounds area it is out of play. If the ball is not putted past the hog line the ball is out of play. If the ball rolls past the putting line be ball is also out of play.
2. If the ball comes to rest touching any part of the hog line remove ball from playing surface. The ball has to roll completely past the hog line. Yet if the ball is touching the putting line in any way the ball remains counting in the house.
3. When counting points, your ball or balls have to be closest to the button inside the house (meaning your ball is touching any part of the circles in the house). At the end of each end, each team decides who's balls are closest and keeps track on the scoreboard or score sheet.
4. If ther is a team with a higher score after ten ends they win. If there is a tie after , then extra ends are to be played. Players need to switch ends and continue play until a winner is determined. One or several ends may need to be played.
5. There also may be blank ends which means know one or know team scores. In that case which ever team scores in the previous end goes first. The team that hasn't scored has an advantage by putting the last ball.
6. Take-outs are all part of the game. If you ball takes out another ball into the gutter that is fine your ball is still in play. Any ball putted into gutter remains in the gutter and cannot score until the following end.