The Complex Rover Ball Situation
I saved this one for last because I've been dreading sitting down and reading the U.S. six-wicket rules on rover play. I can safely say that I'll probably retain that information just long enough to make this post. That may be a good reason to protect my 20 handicap -- never having to be rover.
Still, contrasting nine-wicket rover play against six-wicket is fairly simple. In nine wicket, any ball can stake out a rover and there is no such thing as "last dead." In six wicket, only another rover ball can stake out another rover. For clarification, see Rule 10.2 of the six-wicket rules.
For the "last dead" situation in six wicket, that rule plays out that a rover ball remains dead on it's last ball played even after clearing deadness. It can clear that deadness once it plays one of the other balls that it is live on.
I'm about 68% sure that I have that correct, so anyone that detects an inaccuracy, please post in the comments and I'll definitely make amendments. For reference, the USCA nine-wicket rules are located here and there is section on Rover Balls.
This is the final segment of the series, but I will certainly be willing to add additional sections if someone feels there are other differences between nine- and six-wicket play that should be highlighted.
The Nine to Six Series (Highlighting Differences Between Nine-wicket and Six-wicket Croquet)
Part One -- Clearing Deadness
Part Two -- Post Roquet Options
Part Three -- Boundaries
Part Four -- Wiring
Part Five -- Rover Balls
More on this series: The series endeavors to describe changes that nine wicket players will encounter when they try out the U.S. rules six wicket game. There's a lot of quality information on six-wicket on the internet, but some of it seems pretty complex and is presented all at once. The aim here is to slice this into smaller concepts to allow players to absorb as needed. Also, I need to clarify that I have been playing the six-wicket game for just one-year and have not attended tournaments. So, more experienced players should feel welcome to chime in using the comments and clarify if I am leading people astray. I do think my inexperience is useful in that the concepts are fresh in my mind. Also, for players making the jump to six-wicket, I assume the basics of the game are understood.