36. OPTIONAL LIFT OR CONTACT

1. LIFT If the striker's ball of the preceding turn scored l-back or 4-back for itself in that turn (see Law 45 for shortened games), the striker may start his turn:
1. by playing as the balls lie; or
2. subject to Law 36(c), by lifting either ball of his side that can lawfully be played, even if it is in contact with one or more balls, and playing it from any unoccupied point on either baulk-line.
2. LIFT OR CONTACT If the striker's ball of the preceding turn scored l-back and 4-back for itself in that turn (see Law 45 for shortened games) and its partner ball had not scored l-back before that turn, the striker may start his turn:
1. as in Laws 36(a)(1) or 36(a)(2); or
2. subject to Law 36(c), by lifting either ball of his side that can lawfully be played, even if it is in contact with one or more balls, placing it in contact with any ball and taking croquet forthwith.
3. WHEN NOT APPLICABLE The striker is not entitled to a lift or contact under this law if he has pegged out any ball during the game.
4. FIRST FOUR TURNS OF GAME Law 36(b)(2) overrides the provision of Law 8(b) that requires balls played in the first four turns of the game to be played from a baulk-line.
5. CHANGE OF DECISION If the striker lifts a ball of his side under Laws 36(a)(2) or 36(b)(2):
1. that is not in contact with another ball it is thereby elected as the striker's ball and the striker may not then play with his other ball. If he does so, Law 26 applies. In addition, he is obliged to take the lift or contact to which he is entitled and he may not then play the lifted ball from where it lay before it was lifted unless it already lay on a baulk-line.
2. that is already in contact with his other ball, he remains entitled to take a lift or to take croquet with either ball until he plays a stroke.
3. that is already in contact with another ball, he remains entitled to take croquet from that ball until he plays a stroke.
4. and places it on an unoccupied point on either baulk-line or lawfully in contact with another ball, he remains entitled to play it from any unoccupied point on either baulk-line until he plays a stroke.