The rules of polo are simple and are designed to keep the game going and to protect the horses (known as ponies, as explained later). So simple that anyone can understand and interpret them.
That’s why polo has two riding judges and a referee who watches from the stands.
So a whistle is blown, and after a short meeting between the referees and often some players (which is forbidden), a hand will be raised to the referee, meaning “Do you know what happened?” The referee responds with the same red Indian salute. In the language of polo, it’s “yes!” and he points to the side where the foul was committed and the direction in which the ball should be hit. Often he is as confused as the two referees and goes to the sideline to wag his chin and then makes a decision. Is it difficult? It’s all part of the fun!
Each game is divided into periods called “chukkas” lasting seven minutes and a bell will sound to let the referees and players know that time is up. However, the time is not over. It continues because another bell means the end of the chukka. The players then go off to change the pony, they have three minutes to do so (or do whatever the players have to do). At halftime, they have five minutes to do whatever they want.
Each player has a handicap. Similar to golf, it allows the brilliant to play with the hopeless. Handicap works in the opposite way to golf. The best are rated at ten (goals as opposed to strokes), and beginners start at minus two. Now that’s great at cocktail parties. “What is your flaw?” asks the young and impressionable. “Zero.” “Wow!” says the now even more impressed one. The team calculates all the handicaps and compares them with the other team. The side that has the deficit is given the difference and this is displayed on the scoreboard at the beginning of the game. The deficit is often shown as half a goal – all of which is worked out according to a formula that most players are happy to leave to the referees.
Basic fouls
DO NOT cross another player. (This does not mean shouting at him and telling him that his paternity is in question.) A “cross” is when a player who goes for the ball must have a clear path ahead. It is forbidden to rush to the right or left to try to steal the ball. Ponies can get hurt, and most rules are aimed at protecting them, not the crazy people on top.
DON’T GO ON THE HOOK. Let’s first explain the “hook”. A hook is when a player is about to hit the ball and an opponent makes a hook or hits with a polo stick to deflect the target or stop the shot altogether.
DO NOT engage in unsafe riding or rough handling. Never hit a pony with a polo stick or drive another player’s pony at an angle. Polo players may ride next to another player, thus preventing that player from getting the ball. This is called “riding”. It’s fun and the ponies love it. So, if two players are seen riding together on the other side of the field to where the ball is being played, it could mean that they are getting to know each other or, more likely, one player is “chasing” the other out of the game. Signs of this are the shouting of “Get the man!” being heard.