What is Petanque?

Petanque is the French game of bowls. You can play it as singles (one player against another) or doubles (two players against 2 other players) and Triples (three players against three other players)

Doubles and Triples are usually the most fun as you share the playing with other fellow team players. A good game of Petanque against equally strong opponents can be a fun filled and challenging event where all your skills and tactics plus a little but of nerve and control all come into play. A grand recipe for fun.

A good sense of humour is essential but otherwise be relaxed and stay cool and concentrate.

Petanque is played with metal bowls or 'boules'. You need three boules. They are roughly the size of an apple and weigh approx. 200 grams. A small wooden jack or 'cochonette' (the little pig) in French, don't ask me why it is called the little pig! makes up all the equipment you need to play a game.

Find a place to play. Avoid grassed areas (you have no control on grass) but find a nice gravel path or gravel carpark which makes the ideal playing terrain. Plenty of space around Canberra for this pursuit.

Toss a coin to see who goes first and then throw the jack approx. 4 - 6 metres followed by the first boule. Game on, good luck.

Games are played to 13 points. The first team to 13 wins. An 'end' is where all boules are thrown by both teams and points tallied. Only balls closest to the jack by the team who places them closest score points. A first end could start with 2 - 0 lets say. Most ends are usually single points but occassionally you might get lucky and score maybe 3 or 4 points. However good opponents will reduce high scoring ends. 

You cast or throw your boule with the aim of getting it as close to the jack as possible.

I am not going to bore you with a detailed description of a typical game but suffice to say that if you place your boule closer to the jack than any opponents best boule you will score a point. It's all about getting your boules closest to the jack. Achieving this can be challenging, exciting and sometimes frustrating but almost always good fun. Remember your opponents are trying to do exactly the same so you need to be a little cleverer in your options than they are. A little bit of luck occasionally helps but mainly some good positioning and attacking if necessary will achieve the desired result. A little bit of competiveness mixed with a  dose of good humour and you will have the best fun outdoors away from computers and mobile phones you have had for a long time. Friends are made, problems are solved and before you know it you will be back for more.

Lets say you are playing a doubles game, you have 3 boules, so does your partner, so you have a total of 6 boules and 6 chances of placing your boule next to the jack and score. Tactics, skill and a little bit of nerve, good eye and hand coordination all come into play. You can attack an opponents boule to get it away from the jack but that requires skill and is a risk taking option, however it may well win you the game. Sometimes it is better to gently roll your boule past your opponents boule and rest it against the jack. These are your options, be sure to consult your partner before you throw your boule, there might be another option you have not noticed but your partner has. Have you carefully considered the terrain and distance? Is it worth attacking or better to place a boule, remember each boule is precious. Maybe if you place a good boule in front of the jack you will block any opponents boules from getting nearer. Sometimes it is better to play cautious and bide your time, maybe even concede a point to gain an advantage at a later stage or the next end. Or maybe throw caution to the wind and with one well placed attacking shot turn a lost cause into a winning position and watch your opponents crumble as you gain the psychological advantage. Oh, so many variables, so many options. And all this with three metal boules a little wooden jack and a piece of open ground, so simple and yet potentially so much fun. Give it go .....

Now it is your go.........