This is not the most serious game but can be great fun when players
are of different abilities, and is ideal for the smaller home table.
In its simplest form it can be played with a few balls from the snooker set,
one player or team using the reds, and the other the colours. The balls can
be played either with the cue or rolled by hand, but must always be played
off two cushions, as shown in the diagram.
On a full-sized table a sheet of paper, A4 in size, should be placed in the
position shown as a target (on a smaller table fold this in half). Each ball
that comes to rest on the paper scores one point but only after each round
has been completed.
The first player or team to score 21 wins the game.
The game can also be played in a more scientific way with special sets of
biased bowls. These can be ordered from most good sports shops and come
complete with their own rules.
The Rules of Bowls
1
If played by two people, six balls are used:- 3 reds & 3 colours.
Each player having three shots.
If played by four, as teams of two, eight balls are used:- 4 reds & 4 colours.
Each player having two shots.
If played by six, as teams of three, twelve balls are used:- 6 reds & 6 colours.
Each player having two shots.
2
To begin the game a sheet of A4 paper must be placed halfway
between the pink and black spots. It can be placed as shown,
turned around, or if the players agree it can be cut into a circle.
3
The players or teams must decide who will play first, and the game continues
with the players or teams making alternate strokes. The winner of each round
plays the first stroke in the next.
4
Each stroke must be played off two cushions as shown in the diagram, and the
balls may be played either by hand or with the cue.
5
At the end of each round, every ball lying on the paper scores one point.
6
The first player or team to score twenty-one points wins the game.
In the event of a tie, the game continues until one player or team
wins by at least two points.
BOWLS