frequently asked questions about pichenotte and crokinole game boards

Here are the Top Ten

        Please scroll down for the answers

   1) How do you pronounce pichenotte ?

   2) What is the definition of pichenotte ?

   3) Where does the game come from ? Did you invent it?

   4) How come you don't call it crokinole like 90% of the rest of the free world?

   5) Are there international standard dimensions for the boards?

   6) Are there international standard rules?

   7) How come your boards are so expensive?

   8) How do I get a board ?

   9) I grew up playing this game with wooden pieces. What's with the plastic pucks ?

10) I know the rules. How about some advanced strategy tips ?

1) How do you pronounce pichenotte ?
Pichenotte is pronounced " PEESH' - NUT "

2) What is the definition of pichenotte?
    Pichenotte, (or sometimes spelled pichenette), is a old French verb:
    a) to flick
    b) to flick someone on the ear
    c) a game in which pucks are flicked across a game board.

3) Where does the game come from ? Did you invent it?
The origins of the game are still being researched. It surfaced publicly as pichenotte, croquignole
and crokinole in the United States and Canada at the end of the 19th century. Click for more info.

4) How come you don't call it crokinole like most of the rest of the civilized world?
    For some reason, as Steve Martin points out, "The French have a different word for everything!"
    So, we say .....viva la difference ! The game was introduced to us as pichenotte. We have met
    thousands of people from all over the US and Canada that call it pichenotte.
    Personally, we don't care to change what we've called it all our lives.
    Visit www.crokinole.com for another point of view from our friend Wayne Kelly

5) Are there international standard dimensions for the boards?
     No, there are not. We've seen the round tops as small as 18 inch diameter and as large as 28 inch
     diameter. Somewhere around 24 inch diameter seems very common.

6) Are there international standard rules?
     No, there are not. Like the dimensions, we are interested in helping establish international
     standards.

7) How come your boards are so expensive?
     Even though we don't like this question, it's a good one and it deserves a good answer.
     Please see our Comparison Photos and Chart where you will see and read about the differences
     between our boards and our competitors.

8) How do I get a board ?
      We have temporarily stopped making boards.

9) I grew up playing this game with wooden pieces. What's with the plastic pucks ?
     We originally wanted to use wooden playing pieces. The wooden "discs" we tried from many
     sources, were not uniform in size, weight or shape.
     We took our time and designed the pucks we now use. They are produced in small numbers,
     and we are happy with the results. However, we will continue to experiment with different materials.
     We like our pucks' liveliness and the similar action they have in comparison to pool balls.
     A nice, smooth, reliable, uniform action. But as we said above, viva la difference !

10) I know the rules. How about some advanced strategy tips ?
     We're working on it. We'll have some on the web as soon as we find the time. Can you send us any
     strategy tips ? We'll be happy to publish them with credit to your name. We have started a dialogue
     about strategy at: http://www.pichenotte.com/newsletter2.htm