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Curling's Power Play: Milan Olympics Game Changer
9 Feb
Summary
- The Power Play in mixed doubles curling can be used once per team per game.
- Introduced in 2018, it aims to promote scoring and add strategic variance.
- The rule places two pre-set stones to influence attacking or defensive plays.
The upcoming Milan Winter Olympics will feature 'Chess on Ice,' with mixed doubles curling presenting a unique strategic element known as the Power Play. Introduced in 2018, this rule change allows each team a single opportunity per game to strategically pre-place two stones.
This tactic significantly alters the game's dynamics, offering teams more room to score, particularly with the hammer (last stone advantage). It can lead to scoring two or three points with reduced risk of an opponent stealing. Defensively, it can be used to prevent opponents from easily hiding their stones.
While the rule sounds tactical, its impact is most dramatic in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics. A past game between the USA and Canada at the Milano Cortina Olympics 2026 exemplified this, where Canada's power play attempt faltered, leading to a crucial USA double-takeout and a 7-5 victory for the Americans, highlighting the Power Play's potential as a game-changer.
