Rule 10. Duration of Chukkas

In plain English

Seven and a half minutes maximum. First bell at seven.

• A normal chukka runs to a maximum of seven and a half minutes. The first bell goes at seven, meaning up to thirty seconds left.
• What happens at that bell depends on the ball. Out of play, the umpire whistles and the chukka is over. Still live, play carries on until the next break in play or the second bell at 7:30. A foul awarded in that window is taken at the start of the next chukka.
• The last chukka ends on the first bell, full stop, unless the scores are level, when play continues until someone scores or the second bell goes. A whistle in the final five seconds buys five seconds to take the penalty.
• Still tied, an extra chukka is played from where the last one ended, sudden death. When the goals are widened a coin toss picks ends and the ball is thrown in from the T.
• The clock stops only for the whistle, and restarts when the ball is back in play. Otherwise polo is continuous.

After 7 minutes, the first bell will be rung to indicate that up to 30 seconds remain. If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 10

Read rule 10 in the Blue Book 2026

After a substitution is made, must the team remain qualified?

• No, the team can continue playing even if it is no longer qualified
• Only if the tournament rules require it
• It depends on the umpire’s decision
• Yes, the team must remain qualified after the substitution has been made ✓

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

How long is a normal chukka?

• Maximum of 6 minutes
• Maximum of 7 minutes
• Maximum of 7 1/2 minutes ✓
• Maximum of 8 minutes

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

How does the ending of a chukka get signalled and what happens if the ball is out of play or a foul is awarded near the end of a chukka?

• The chukka ends immediately after 7 minutes, and if a foul is awarded, the penalty is taken right away
• After 7 minutes, a bell is rung, and the chukka ends either at the next break in play or when a second bell is rung. If the ball is out of play when the first bell is rung, the umpire ends the chukka with a whistle. If a foul is awarded, the penalty is taken at the beginning of the next chukka ✓
• A whistle is blown after 7 minutes, and the chukka ends immediately. Penalties for fouls are taken at the beginning of the next chukka
• After 7 minutes, a bell is rung, and the chukka continues until the ball goes out of play. Fouls are resolved immediately

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

How does the final chukka of a polo game end?

• On the first sound of the 7-minute bell unless the teams are tied ✓
• After 7 1/2 minutes, regardless of the score
• On the second sound of the bell, regardless of the score
• When a goal is scored after the 7-minute mark

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

What happens if the score is tied and a result is required at the end of the final chukka?

• The game ends in a draw
• The game continues with an extra chukka, played until a goal is scored or the second bell is sounded ✓
• The teams participate in a penalty shootout
• The team with the higher handicap wins

If a result is required and the score is still tied, the game will continue with an extra chukka.

When is the clock stopped during a chukka?

• Whenever the ball goes out of play
• Whenever a player requests it
• Only if the umpire blows his whistle ✓
• At each break in play

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

In the extra chukka played for a tied polo game, how is the winner determined?

• The team with the most goals at the end of the extra chukka wins
• The first team to score a goal in the extra chukka wins (sudden death or golden goal) ✓
• The team that scores the last goal before the second bell is sounded wins
• The teams proceed to a penalty shootout if no goal is scored in the extra chukka

If a result is required and the score is still tied, the game will continue with an extra chukka.

If no goal is scored in the extra chukka of a tied polo game, what happens in any subsequent chukka of extra time?

• The teams change ends and the game is restarted at the centre of the field
• The teams change ends and the game is restarted at a position corresponding to where the previous chukka ended ✓
• The game continues from where the extra chukka ended without changing ends
• The game is decided by a coin toss

If a result is required and the score is still tied, the game will continue with an extra chukka.

What happens if the whistle is blown during the last 5 seconds of the last chukka?

• The game ends and no penalty is awared
• The attacking team is automatically awarded a goal
• 5 seconds shall be allowed for the execution of any penalty ✓
• The attacking team is automatically awarded half a goal

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

If the ball is out of play when the 7 minute bell is rung, what happens?

• Continue for the remaining 30 seconds
• 30 seconds is added to the next chukka and play is stopped
• Chukka ends ✓

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

If a foul is awarded after 7 minutes in a normal chukka, what happens?

• Penalty is taken at the start of the next chukka ✓
• Attacking team is awarded half a goal
• Defending team receives a yellow flag and the chukka ends
• Defending team receives a red flag and the chukka ends

If a foul is awarded, the penalty shall be taken at the beginning of the next chukka.

If the ball goes out of play in a normal chukka between the 7 minute and 7 minute 30 secs bell, does the chukka end?

• Yes ✓
• No

If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka.

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