A game of pétanque is played by two teams each consisting of one, two or three players. In singles and doubles games each player plays with three boules but in triple games, each player uses only two to prevent the terrain becoming too busy.

To play pétanque, players throw their boules while standing in a circle, whether its a purpose-built 50cm plastic circle or simply a circle drawn on the terrain. After a coin toss to decide which team plays first, the winning team place the circle, stand in it and throw the jack to a distance of 6-10 metres. The same team then throws the first boule to start the game.

From that point on, both teams are competing to have their boules closest to the jack. The team with the boule that is closest to the jack is said to have or be on ‘the point’.

The team that does not have the point throws the next boule and continues to throw boules until it either gains the point, or runs out of boules.

That means that the winning team could potentially score as many six points in one end, although a score of one or two points is more often the case.

Once all boules on both teams have been thrown, this is known in French as a ‘mène’ which loosely translates as ‘end’ or ‘round.’ It’s then time to work out the score so far. The winning team scores one point for each of its boules that is closer than the opposing team’s closest boule.

That means that the winning team could potentially score as many six points in one end, although a score of one or two points is more often the case.

Once the score for that end has been totted up, the winning team place or draw a circle around the jack before picking it up and throwing it again to start the next end. This process continues, with both teams racking up points until one team reaches 13 points in total, which makes them the winners of the game.

Félicitations! How about a rematch?

Want to learn more? Check out the following basic video guide from Pétanque England, or come and join us at a club session free of charge.