Copyright © 2018 Plymouth Petanque
Strategy and Techniques: Though the rules for petanque are relatively simple, the strategy can become sophisticated. There are limited boules to point/shoot, and different player experiences with shooting and pointing - as well as different areas in the terrain to work with. Some basic strategy includes: 1. Pointing your boules so that they rest in front (and in the way) of your opponent’s boules. This “boule-in-front” not only presents a barrier to your opponent, but that boule can be accidentally “pushed” closer to the cochon by an opponents boule. 2. Keeping track of how many boules your opponent has left to play so that you know what shooting risks you can take. 3. Leaving an “open” path to the cochon for others on your team to point. 4. Leaving a “wall” in front of the cochon to keep your opponent’s boules away. 5. Using an opponent’s boule as a “backstop” when pointing to the cochon.
Equipment needed: 3 boules (per player), a tape measure (6 ft) and 1 cochon (or jack as it may be called in England)
Playing Area: Petanque is played on a large dirt or gravel/dirt, semi-level surface. If you wish, the playing area (terrain) can be marked off in a rectangular area with string. 15 metres x 4 metres (49 ft x 13 ft).
Playing Area: Petanque is played on a large dirt or gravel/dirt, semi-level surface. If you wish, the playing area (terrain) can be marked off in a rectangular area with string. 15 metres x 4 metres (49 ft x 13 ft).
Teams:- Players are divided into 2 teams. Depending on the number of available players, or the type of tournament, each team is made up as follows: • one player vs. one player (tete-a-tete) with 3 boules each player • two players vs. two players (doublettes) with 3 boules each player • three players vs. three players (triplettes) with 2 boules each player.
The Game: Whichever team has thrown its boule(s) closest to the cochon “has the point” and forces the other team (which “does not have the point”) to throw their boules until they get a boule closer to the cochon (or they run out of boules to throw). How to Score Points: Only one team scores points during each round. That score is the sum of all of the one team’s boules that are closest to the cochon before the other team’s first closest boule. The first team to acquire 13 points wins the game.
The Game: Whichever team has thrown its boule(s) closest to the cochon “has the point” and forces the other team (which “does not have the point”) to throw their boules until they get a boule closer to the cochon (or they run out of boules to throw). How to Score Points: Only one team scores points during each round. That score is the sum of all of the one team’s boules that are closest to the cochon before the other team’s first closest boule. The first team to acquire 13 points wins the game.
HOW TO PLAY