The committee has had some very productive exchanges of ideas to date.

Some of our duties are answering questions from players on the Laws of Association Croquet and the ACA Regulations for Tournaments, making Rulings where the Laws for some reason (even with ORLC) are unclear, and making recommendations to the ACA Executive on matters relating to the ACA Regulations.

As far as the last is concerned, we have found some aspects of the Regulations that need amending as a consequence of the 2008 amendments to the Laws: these will no doubt be issued by the ACA as soon as they have been discussed.

We issue one Ruling on the Laws hereunder: the ruling confirms the way the specific game is played. I do not know whether anyone has ever challenged a "modified" Law 36(c), but this will not be possible in future.

To end up - an interesting Question on the ACA Regulations (and the laws) relating to Time-limited Handicap Games.

A last word: do not rely on memory or what you think someone said in relation to the Laws or the ACA Regulations - check the primary sources.

Law 42 - Advanced Doubles.
Law 42 specifically mentions Law 36.
Law 36(c) is subject to modification of terms as specified in Law 40(c) (1), but because of the lack of precision in the wording of Law 40(c)(1), a player could issue a challenge as to how Law 36(c) is modified.
Ruling: 
Law 36(c) is modified as follows:
The striker is not entitled to a lift or contact under this law if either player of his side has pegged out any ball during the game.
This confirms how the game of Advanced Doubles is currently played.

QUESTION & ANSWER

Time-limited Handicap Games :
Q. I was the striker and my turn ended.   I gave a clear indication of my intention to play my remaining bisque [Law 37(d) (1)].  Before I had played the first stroke, time was called.  My opponent claimed that we were now in the extension period, and I could not play the bisque.  Was he correct?
A.  No, your opponent was not correct.
When you indicated that you were going to play the bisque, you became the striker, and were entitled to play and complete the turn, even though time was called before you had played the first stroke.   At the end of your turn, your opponent would have one more turn before the extension period ended.
Alternately, if, after time was called and before you played the first stroke, you changed your mind and indicated your revised intention accordingly [Law 37(d)(2], your opponent would be the striker for the first turn of the extension period, after which you would be entitled to one further turn.
The above would also apply if you had indicated an intention of playing a half-bisque.

Your opponent was relying on what he thought Regulation 15(c) stated.

Regulation 15(c) (2) states that bisque may not be played at the end of either of the two turns of the extension period.

The above answer is ruled as the way to handle such an occurrence until such time as changes to the Laws and/or ACA Regulations for Tournaments are made.

Nell Hass Chairman ACA LC