re: *OFFICIAL* USA Curling Thread (Spoilers)

Might have been a smart idea to not give up hammer in the first and go for a Zero.

That way you get hammer in the 8th if it falls out that way.

Got 2 back there. 4-4 after 5

Either way you trade odds for evens

Gave up two in the 9th. Hammer in the 10th all tied up

And thanks for not showing us that important shot and showing his face the whole time. WTF.

Lovely throw there

Yeah great throw for the dub.

Fun match to watch. Being down early and coming back should build massive confidence.

quote:

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Why would we not just peel every rock they throw, and then throw our last into the house to win?

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Under the current Five-Rock Rule (adopted in 2018), teams cannot remove an opponent's stones located in the Free Guard Zone (FGZ) until the first five rocks of an end have been played. If a guard is removed before this, the thrown rock is removed, and all other stones are replaced.

Key details of the rule:
The Rule: The first 5 rocks of an end (3 by the team without hammer, 2 by the team with hammer) cannot be knocked out of play.

Free Guard Zone: This is the area between the hog line and the house.
Penalty: If an opposing guard is knocked out of play, the played stone is removed, and the guard is placed back.

Strategy: This rule forces teams to keep more rocks in play, reducing blank ends and encouraging more offensive strategies.

Exceptions: A team may remove their own guard, or move an opponent's guard within the FGZ, but cannot remove it entirely.

Men going live vs Switzerland.

Swiss get 3 in the 6th to lead 6-2 after 6 and all but guarantee a victory.