Have croquet rules changed since its beginning?

Croquet rules have not changed much since the inception of the game, but many variations exist. The goal is to hit the ball through the wickets, or wire arches, in as few shots as possible. The type of game played depends on the players' skill levels and familiarity.

Each variation of croquet has its own set of rules such as the sequence in which the players hit the balls, balls considered dead, free shots and boundaries. The simplest version is nine-wicket, which is the traditional croquet that people typically play at family barbecues and garden parties. The World Croquet Federation organizes World Championships every two to three years of association croquet, the most complex version.