Rule 8. Duration of the Game
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 8 · Common Terms, Winning, Goals on Handicap and Scoring Goals, Duration, Start of Play
In plain English
Four to six chukkas. Three minutes between, five at half time.
- A game is four to six chukkas before any extra time, and the tournament committee sets the number to suit the level of the polo.
- Three minutes between chukkas, five at half time and again before extra time. In a five chukka game half time comes after the third.
- A bell at the end of the interval tells the umpires to restart.
The clause that governs
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 8
6 questions on this rule
What is the standard duration of a polo game?
- 4 chukkas
- 5 chukkas
- 6 chukkas ✓
- 7 chukkas
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
What is the length of intervals between chukkas and at half time?
- 2 minutes between chukkas and 4 minutes at half time
- 3 minutes between chukkas and 5 minutes at half time ✓
- 4 minutes between chukkas and 6 minutes at half time
- 5 minutes between chukkas and 7 minutes at half time
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
What is the standard number of chukkas in a game?
- Four to six ✓
- Always six
- Four to eight
- Always four
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
How long is the interval between chukkas?
- 2 minutes
- 3 minutes ✓
- 4 minutes
- 5 minutes
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
How long is the half time interval?
- 3 minutes
- 4 minutes
- 5 minutes ✓
- 10 minutes
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
In a game of five chukkas, when is half time taken?
- After the second chukka
- After the third chukka ✓
- There is no half time in a five chukka game
- At the umpires’ discretion
Intervals between chukkas will be 3 minutes, with a 5 minute interval at half time and before extra time.
Test yourself
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.