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2025-06-06 13:21:07 • Mrs Trellis, North Wales
Can you explain Crabbit's rule?

Crabbit's Rule is what separates what we nowadays consider to be normal play from the original game, as documented by N. F. Stovold, now called the Traditional Modern version. In the Traditional Modern game, it's permissible to huff in any direction (you should take care to ensure that an out is available, otherwise a Free Ball is declared which can be disasterous for your short- and medium-term game). Crabbit's Rule is a stipulation that huffs must be lateral, and that laterals may also be huffs. This means that there is always a shunt or loop (or, often, both) available to the recipient of the huff, greatly simplifying these aspects of the game.

To give you an example, coming off Baker Street, if you play Marble Arch, I can play St John's Wood. This lateral move results in a huff, which would give you only the obvious three progressions. However, in the Traditional Modern game, I could play Elmers Road as a direct move. This also results in a huff, but also shuts down all possible progressions (with the possible exception of Kingsway). If Kingsway were deemed unplayable, you would have zero valid options and could thus declare a Free Ball.