Boule / Bacce Game Help!
I’ve been asked to coordinate a “boule” (similar to bocce) tournament for a relatives wedding as a fun thing to do for those coming a few days early (destination wedding).
After doing a little research, I’ve found there are a lot of variations of this game so I’m curious if any of you play this and what your recommendations are for a simple version of this game. There will be people from Europe, US, and Canada at the wedding so I want to make sure it is easy to understand and explain to everyone.
I think (what I remember of) Pétanque is the simplest and most fun version: search for some kind of flat ground if you do not have a “real” boule-ground available. Make two teams and divide the big boule-balls between them.
One team starts throwing the small one and subsequently their first large one. Then, always the team not in the lead (i. e. the team not currently having one of their balls nearest to the small one) has their turn. Ideally, they more or less take turns that way.
If one team has no boule left, the other team can throw theirs until both are done.
Getting opposing balls out of range by hitting them with your own is fine and part of the strategy as well as hitting the small one and thus moving the “centre”.
Then, counting points is pretty straightforward: search for the big one most adjacent to the small one - this team scores this round. Count all of their balls nearer than any of the opposing teams ones. That’s the score.
Pick up everything and start the next round!
Very fun as you can easily talk, eat and drink while playing! Reminds me that I should play again, sometimes.
Have fun! If you do not already have them: get at least to sets of balls, ideally with different colours/ornaments to easily keep them apart while paying/counting.
Thank you. This is perfect, much appreciated. I began to down a rabbit hole of rules for different versions of throwing (standing vs running start) vs rolling, etc. It seems the key is to not make it too strict and have fun. Do you find the number of people on a team to matter? Two or three maximum?
You’re welcome :)
Yes, was the same here regarding the rabbit hole. Then I just took a look at what is most commonly played around France by everyone. Simple, do not overcomplicate and have fun.
I’d say as there are 6 balls per team, two or three people on a team is great.