In the beginning, the Greeks played a game like Pétanque. They would throw stone balls, trying to make them go as far as they could. This was boring.  The Romans changed it up by adding a target that the balls had to land near to score. Guy with the ball closet to the target wins.  The game was so fun that in the Middle Ages, England and France banned commoners from playing the game!  What party poopers! Many years later, the present version of Pétanque was invented in 1907 by Jules Lenoir from France. He made the field shorter and instead of running to throw the ball, he made it so you had to stand from a set spot.  This added more challenge to the sport.  Today, Pétanque is played by 17 million people in France alone during the vacation season. 



Pétanque is played by two to six people and is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but it can also be played on grass or other surfaces. Sandy beaches are not suitable so stay off the beach!  When the game starts, each player has three balls. Once the starting team is chosen*, they throw out the jack. Then first player for that team throws their first ball. Then it is the second team’s turn to throw.  Each team keeps throwing balls until they run out then the points are scored. Each team receives one point for each ball that is closer to the jack than the other team's best-placed ball. So if Team A has two balls closer to the jack then Team B closet ball, Team A scores 2 points**. The first team to reach 13 points wins.

 That’s a wrap on Pétanque! Now you know all about Pétanque and the fun it can be.  Go out and play some Pétanque with friends outside or in DECA SPORTS 2 at home.  Be sure to check out all of our other exciting features about the sports of DECA SPORTS 2 here at Hudsonent.com!

 

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