In the taproom of Highland Brewing, the usual hum of conversation and the clink of pint glasses were joined by a distinct, rhythmic sound: the sharp snap of wooden discs hitting a polished surface. This was the centerpiece of the first Asheville Crokinole tournament, an event that drew enthusiasts from across North Carolina to compete in a game that blends the precision of curling with the strategy of shuffleboard.
The tournament marked a milestone for the Asheville Crokinole Club, which has spent the last two years cultivating a local following for the 19th-century Canadian pastime. By bringing the competition to one of the region’s most iconic breweries, the club transitioned from a niche gathering of hobbyists to a public showcase of a game that is currently experiencing a significant resurgence across the Southeast.
Crokinole is a dexterity game played on a circular wooden board, where players flick small discs toward a central hole. The objective is to land discs in the center or knock opponents’ discs off the board. While the rules can be learned in a single round, the mastery of the “flick”—the precise application of force and angle—takes years of practice.
Shane Peters, a member of the Asheville Crokinole Club, noted that the game’s appeal lies in its accessibility. “I think, honestly, this game is just highly addictive; it’s a particularly simple game to play; it comes down to dexterity and aim and some strategy involved, but you can learn it in one round and spend a lifetime trying to master it,” Peters said.
The Mechanics of the Flick
To the uninitiated, a crokinole board looks like a piece of fine furniture, often crafted from hardwoods with a mirrored finish to reduce friction. The game is played in rounds, with players alternating turns to slide their discs from the outer rim toward the center. The highest score is achieved by landing a disc directly into the central hole, though strategic play often involves “defending” the center by knocking an opponent’s scoring disc away.
This requirement for fine motor control and spatial awareness makes the game more than just a casual diversion. From a physiological perspective, games requiring high levels of hand-eye coordination and tactical planning provide a form of cognitive engagement that is often missing from digital entertainment. The physical nature of the game—the tactile feel of the wood and the immediate feedback of the disc’s movement—creates a sensory experience that attracts players of all ages.
The tournament at Highland Brewing provided a professional setting for these skills to be tested. With several tables set up for simultaneous play, the event allowed for a bracket-style competition where players from different cities could gauge their skill levels against the best in the state.
An Analog Revival in a Digital Age
The growth of the Asheville Crokinole Club is part of a larger trend toward “analog” gaming. Peters believes the catalyst for this growth was the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a shift in how people socialized and spent their leisure time at home.
“When COVID hit us, a lot of board gaming picked back up. People were stuck in the house. They wanted some more social activities, so you did see a big resurgence there,” Peters said.
This shift suggests a broader psychological longing for tangible, face-to-face interaction. While digital gaming grew during the pandemic, the subsequent “board game boom” indicates a desire for “third places”—social environments separate from home and work where community can be built around shared interests. The choice of a brewery as the tournament venue underscores this, as the craft beer scene and the tabletop gaming community often overlap in their appreciation for craftsmanship and gradual, intentional leisure.
The resurgence is not limited to Asheville. Peters noted that the game has been “spreading like wildfire” across the Southeast, with various clubs forming to standardize play and organize regional competitions.
From Local Club to Statewide Competition
The Asheville Crokinole Club has evolved quickly since its inception approximately two years ago. What began as a small group of friends has expanded into a community capable of hosting statewide events. The transition to a formal tournament represents a shift from casual play to a more competitive ecosystem.
The event also served as a recruiting tool, introducing the public to the game’s history. “This game originated in the late 1800s in Canada,” Peters said, highlighting the enduring nature of a game that has survived over a century to find a new audience in the mountains of North Carolina.
For those interested in the competitive side of the hobby, the club is looking toward future expansions. This includes the Biltmore Championship, an upcoming event for which the organization is currently seeking volunteers to help manage the logistics of the competition.
| Game Element | Description/Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Land discs in the center hole or inner rings. |
| Core Skill | Dexterity, aim, and tactical positioning. |
| Origin | Canada, late 19th century. |
| Learning Curve | Low entry barrier; high mastery ceiling. |
As the Asheville Crokinole Club continues to grow, the focus remains on maintaining the balance between the game’s competitive spirit and its social roots. By hosting events in public spaces, the club ensures that the game remains an open invitation to anyone willing to try their hand at the flick.
The club expects to continue its partnership with local venues to host future meetups and tournaments, further embedding the Canadian tradition into the cultural fabric of the Blue Ridge region.
Do you have a favorite analog game or a local club we should know about? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
