If the clock runs out in curling, the team forfeits the game in most timed, officiated competitions such as top national and international events.

What Happens If the Clock Runs Out in Curling?

The Basic Rule

  • In elite events that use “thinking time” (like the Olympics and major championships), each team gets a fixed total time for the whole game.
  • If a team’s clock hits zero before they have legally completed the game, that team loses by forfeit.
  • Practically, you must release your stone before the clock reaches zero for it to count as played.

A typical example from high-level play: if your last shot is sliding down the ice and your team’s clock hits zero after you released it, the shot still counts and the game continues normally.

Official Timing Details (Thinking Time)

Many top events use “thinking time” rather than timing the stones while they travel.

  • Men’s and women’s 10-end games:
    • Around 38 minutes of total thinking time per team.
  • Mixed doubles:
    • Around 22 minutes per team, plus extra time for extra ends.
  • The clock:
    • Starts after the opponent’s shot is complete.
* Stops when your thrower releases the stone or crosses a defined line (like the near tee line) depending on event rules.

According to officiating guidelines, if a stone has already reached the nearer tee line before time expires , it is treated as having been played in time and allowed to continue.

When Exactly Do You “Lose on Time”?

Different rulebooks phrase it slightly differently, but the practical effect is the same.

  • If your clock hits zero and your final stone of the game has not reached the nearer tee line , the umpire calls time and applies a penalty that results in losing the game.
  • A popular explanation from competitive players:

“You have to release your last stone before the clock hits zero, or else forfeit the match.”

So in straightforward terms: run out of time = automatic loss , no penalty points or replays, just a forfeit.

Club Curling vs. Championship Curling

In casual or club leagues, the “clock running out” can work a bit differently.

Some clubs:

  • Use a large game clock (for example, 1 hour 40 minutes to play an 8-end game).
  • Have rules like:
    • If the 6th end is not completed by the allotted time, then the 7th end will be the last, and no new end starts after a certain time (like 2 hours).

In these situations, running out of time:

  • Usually limits how many ends you can play , rather than causing an immediate forfeit.
  • Still encourages teams to play at a reasonable pace so the full game can finish.

So:

  • Championship play : clock hits zero → you almost always forfeit.
  • Many club leagues : ice time or “bell” rules may cut off new ends, but don’t always declare an automatic loss.

Why This Is a “Thing” in Current Discussions

Time rules in curling are a frequent topic in fan and player discussions, especially online.

  • Some argue that time should be per end , to avoid a team “burning” lots of time early and then rushing later.
  • Others like the existing full-game clock because the ends that take the most time are often the most exciting and strategic.

This debate keeps popping up in recent seasons, especially when televised games show one team scrambling in the final end with almost no time left.

Quick FAQ: “What Happens If the Clock Runs Out in Curling?”

  • Do you lose instantly?
    In high-level, timed events, yes—your team forfeits when your clock hits zero before the game is properly completed.
  • Does a stone still count if it was already thrown?
    If the stone was released and has reached the nearer tee line before time expires, it is treated as played in time and allowed to finish.
  • What about casual league play?
    Many clubs use time caps or “no new end after X:XX” rules instead of pure forfeits, so running out of time may simply stop new ends rather than automatically deciding the winner.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.