Rules of the game Jeu-de-boules
Below are the internationally recognised rules of the game explained in a concise form.
The explanation below is intended for beginning jeu de boules players. Officially, the game is called “petanque”, but in the Netherlands we speak of jeu de boules. For the sake of clarity, we also speak of jeu de boules.
Teams
Jeu de boules is a sport that is played between two parties. The teams can consist of 1, 2 or 3 people. This is called – depending on the number of players – a singles game, doublet or triplet.
Depending on the number of players, you get ‘boules’. If you play in teams of three, you can play two boules. In doublettes and singles games, each player gets three boules.
Throwing the jack
Throwing the jack is also subject to strict rules. For example, the distance between the throwing circle and the jack must be between 6 and 10 metres. The jack may not be more than 1 metre from the outside of the court.
During the game, the position of the jack can move; depending on the circumstances, the jack is returned to its original position, remains where it is, or is declared invalid.
Throwing the boules
The aim of the game is to throw the boule as close to the jack as possible. The boule must be thrown or rolled underhand. You may not throw boules again. While the player whose turn it is concentrates on his throw, the other players present must be quiet.
When the team that threw the jack has thrown its first boule as close to the jack as possible, it is the opponent’s turn. If the opponent manages to throw the boule closer to the jack, they are in the lead.
The first team then takes its turn and tries to throw the boule better than the opponent did. They must continue throwing the boule until they succeed or until they run out of boules.
If a team has no more boules, the opponent throws the remaining boules to earn more points.
When both teams have no more boules to throw, the first round is over and the points are counted. For each boule that is closer to the jack than the opponent’s best thrown boule, one point is awarded. This means that only one team has a chance of scoring points each throwing round
A new throwing round is then played. The team that won the previous throwing round may start.
Scoring
The game continues until one of the teams has reached 13 points. (Sometimes in preliminary rounds the game is shortened to 11 points). This means that multiple throwing rounds are played.
The game stops as soon as a team has reached the required 13 points, even if this means that the throwing round has not yet ended.
