Where to Buy
Thinking about picking up a pétanque set? Here’s the one we recommend, available on Amazon.
It’s the most budget-friendly option that still meets official FIPJP standards for size and weight, making it a smart pick if you’re new to pétanque or simply want solid quality without paying a premium.
view on amazon.comHeads up: that link is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase after clicking it, we’ll earn a small commission (think coffee money) — at no extra cost to you.
Game Rules
Pétanque is played between two teams. The objective is to score points by having balls closer to a small target ball — the jack — than the opponent. The ball nearest to the jack is said to be holding the point. The team that is not holding the point throw their balls until they place a ball closer to the jack, thereby triggering the other team to throw their balls until they are again holding the point, and so on. A round of pétanque ends when both teams have thrown all their balls.
The team whose best ball is closest to the jack at the end of the round, wins the round. They get one point for each ball that is closer to the jack than the losing team’s best ball. A game of pétanque is played over multiple rounds. The winner is the first team to reach 13 points.
Featured Tournaments
Community spotlight
Off the court: KOKUKY
Long winter, or rain on the terrain? KOKUKY is a pétanque game for iPhone and Android, made by a Helsinki tournament organizer and set on real courts in Helsinki and Tampere.
It’s free to try (tutorial, three trial matches against the computer, and a daily throw). A one-time purchase unlocks online play, two-player mode, all courts and tournaments, with no ads or subscription.
The app is available in English, French and Finnish.
We’re not affiliated with the developer. He got in touch, we had a look, and thought some of you might enjoy it.