Boules explanation

Boules

You are probably familiar with jeu de boules. But what exactly are the rules of the game? We are happy to explain!

The aim of the game

In a boules match, a team can consist of one to three players. The aim of the game is to throw your boules (large steel balls) closest to the but (small wooden ball). The team that scores 13 points first is the winner of the match.

Game rules

• A maximum of 12 balls may be in play. Does a team consist of one player? Then he/she may have a maximum of 3 balls. If you play with several players in a team, each player gets 2 balls.
• Only underhand throws are allowed.
• The team that gets to start is determined by drawing lots.
• The game starts by throwing the but 6 to 10 metres away. The but must be at least 0.5m from the edge of the court.
  The team that has thrown the but also throws the first boule. The aim is to throw the boule as close as possible to the but.
• Then it's the other team's turn. This team has to throw the ball closer to the but. If they fail, they have to keep throwing until there is a ball closer to it.
• If they succeed, it is the other team's turn again. This repeats throughout the game; the team that throws the ball closest to the but hands over the turn to the other team.
• If at any point a team runs out of balls, the other team gets to keep throwing. The aim is to throw as many boules as possible near the but.
• The balls (but and boules) may be deliberately bounced away to take the opponent away from the but.
• The player (team) closest to the but at the end of the game gets the points. 1 ball is 1 point. If the first two balls of the same player are closest, that player gets two points. You keep counting like this until an opponent's ball is closer.
• The player (team) who was closest may throw the but next turn.
• The player (team) first to score 13 points wins the match.