The most popular type of boules is pétanque, which can be played in the following formats:

Tête-à-tête: 2 individual players, each with 3 balls.
Doublette: 2 teams of 2 players, each with 3 balls (i.e. 6 balls per team).
Triplette: 2 teams of 3 players with 2 balls each (i.e. 6 balls per team).

The game can be played on any surface. A surface that is neither too soft nor too hard is recommended so that the balls do not sink in immediately but roll 2-3 metres.

After drawing lots to decide who starts, a player from that team draws a circle on the ground with a diameter of approx. 35-50 cm.

The player stands in the circle and throws the target ball at a distance of between 6 and 10 metres. The ball must come to rest at least one metre from any kind of obstacle. Then the person or another member of the team tries to place the first ball as close as possible to the target ball.

Now it is the other team's turn and they continue throwing until they have placed a ball closer to the target ball than their opponents, or until all of the team's balls have been thrown. After that, it is the first team's go again.

You may ‘push’ or ‘shoot away’ all of the balls – your own, your opponent's and the target ball – in order to improve the position of your own balls. However, if the target ball hits an obstacle or the boundary, the end must be started from the beginning.

The points are not counted until all of the balls have been thrown. The team that has come closest to the target ball receives one point. If it has two balls closer than the opposing team, it receives two points, and so on! Theoretically, up to six points (up to three points in tête-à-tête) can be scored per end.

The winner of the end draws a new throwing circle at the spot where the target ball was and throws the target ball for the next end.

A team wins the match when it has scored 13 points.

With its ramparts, numerous well-kept gravel paths and many places to sit, Greifswald offers excellent conditions for playing Boules.

Boules is a social game that requires no special skills, can be started immediately and almost anyone can play. It is perfect for meeting up briefly after work or a day of studying, or for enjoying a whole day outdoors in nice weather.

We have also purchased several sets of Boules balls, which you can borrow from various locations spread across the University.

Boules (from the French la boule, meaning ‘the ball’) or the game of boules refers to various types of ball games. The most popular is pétanque.

With its easy-to-learn basic rules, it is well suited as a social leisure activity. However, when being played competitively, it requires concentration, skill and good physical condition, and a lot of practice. It is popular because it remains varied and appealing for participants with different levels of skill.

The fascination of pétanque lies in the fact that its rules and technical skills are very easy to learn, yet with increasing practice it proves to be a very versatile and challenging game. (link to Wikipedia)