Can someone explain the sport Curling to me?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

I just don't understand

[Strawman]

1. Shuffleboard on ice

If you lived in or near Canada back when there were only about 5 or 6 TV channels that came in, sometimes curling was actually the most interesting thing on TV. That and five-pin bowling were CBC Sports staples.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

3. No wonder that beer is so popular up there.

[ironflange]

4. Of course

But if you've had a few too many Blue or Canadian it affects your game, eh?

[ironflange]

2. The basic premise is very simple

Two teams ("rinks")of four take turns sliding big rocks down the ice, closest to the button (the bullseye) gets a point. Each member throws two, ie Bill, the lead, throws two, Bob, the second, throws two, etc. Two or more closer than your opponents' closest one, you get that many points. Similar to scoring bocce or lawn bowlinh. Ten ends, with an extra one to break a tie. If you score in an end, the other team gets last rock in the next end. There are some other rules, but this will do you for now.

That said, as with other seemingly simple games, the strategy can get very complicated. I like to watch it, it's a really good game for TV.

edit: Can't forget, many of those ladies' teams are smokin' hot! :evilgrin:

[ironflange]

5. One more thing

They sweep in front of the rocks to manipulate its speed and/or trajectory. I still don't know how these curlers can slide those damn things with such accuracy, I've seen them put them through gaps with less than half an inch clear on each side.

[RubyDuby in GA]

6. I don't entirely get it either, but it is mesmerizing to watch

I stayed home from work on some days to watch it during the winter olympics...

http://www.curlingbasics.com/

[GenDem]

7. Same here...

we sat for hours, trance like, watching the competition during the Olympics. :crazy:

[ghostsofgiants]

8. I don't remember the rules now, but it's surprisingly fun to play.

[Jimbo S]

9. Bocce on ice.

If you've seen bocce played, curling is similar.

[ghostsofgiants]

10. I've never even heard of bocce.

[Orsino]

11. It's an old Internet hoax.

Photos of alleged "curlers" always turn out to depict rink workers polishing the ice before hockey matches.