Overview

Students compete in a modified game of boules (pétanque) to win the most points through a series of rounds.

Number of Entries

5 students per school for the tournament. Others may play for fun.

Judging

Points will be awarded based on one’s style of throw, attitude during the game, chic attire, … nous plaisantons! A player must simply get their two metal balls closer to the target ball than their opponent’s!

Time Limit

N/A. Participants will play for points, not time.

Procedure & Rules

Students will play abbreviated, single-elimination rounds as individuals, not teams. Thus, each player will have two (2) boules to throw (instead of three) in alternating play. The game starts when one side wins a coin toss and the right to throw out the cochonnet (target ball) 6-10 meters away. This is done from within a 50 cm circle. Whenever throwing a boule, both feet must be within the circle, and both feet must remain on the ground until the boule has landed. (hence the term “pétanque” from the Provençal for “planted”)

Players should study the look and pattern of their boules so they can recognize them once they have thrown them in game play.

The first player throws a game boule out to the cochonnet. The second player then throws their first boule to the cochonnet. Each player then has one additional throw, in the same order of play. A player may go look at the position of the boules, but they must return to the circle to throw again. Pro tip: a player may use their boule to knock another player’s boule(s) out of the way!

After each play has thrown their two (2) boules, they will go observe the position of the balls closely without touching them. The player whose boule ends up closest to the cochonnet after two throws will earn two (2) points. The player whose boule ends up second-closest to the cochonnet will win one (1) point. The same player can win all three (3) points. The players may measure en cas de dispute.

The next round between those players will be started by the player with the most total (cumulative) points. Doing so gives the player with the lower score the last-throw advantage in that round. A player wins when they have scored a total of thirteen (13) points. Those winners will then play winners from other match-ups until a final winner is determined.

Questions

Still have a question?  Click here.