Bowls Formats
Lawn Bowls has many format variations, below are just a few. If you have a format you would like to share, please submit it and we’ll get it added and share it with the world.
There are currently 3 Bowls Formats in this directory beginning with the letter #.
100 Up Singles
Singles – four (4) bowls per player
3 players per section whenever possible
100 up (first player to score 100)
The scoring shall be:
The game ends when a players scores 100 points.
3 players per section whenever possible
100 up (first player to score 100)
The scoring shall be:
- 4 points for shot
- 3 points for second shot
- 2 points for third shot
- 1 point for fourth shot
- Maximum of 10 shots can be scored per end
The game ends when a players scores 100 points.
2 Jacks
With just four changes to the normal rules, the game is very different. Two Jack Bowls provides a new and exciting bowling experience to all bowlers looking for something a little different. The game is a challenging test, met by the careful use of draw shots and tactical decisions. The drive has been taken out of this game entirely making it a great fun alternative for social bowlers of all standards. It is extremely competitive, yet has maintained the vagaries inherent in the regular game. Two Jack Bowls is really absorbing and fun to play.
Two jacks – Two heads
Each lead rolls one jack. They are lifted and placed 1m either side of the centerline. Usually both jacks remain separate targets throughout the end, which encourages every player to rely on direct draw shot skills to score points.
Tactics
No two games can ever be the same. Every shot from Lead to Skip may require a different tactical approach to gain progressive scoring advantage. This could include trying for shot bowls to both jacks. Moving a Jack away from an opposition bowl(s). The Lead and Second quietly setting up a few shot bowls close to one Jack, the Skip then goes for the other. The scoring tide can turn very rapidly and never forget the opposition might be up to the same tricks and be better tacticians. Be ever vigilant!
Bonus Points
A bonus point for a “toucher”. Anyone, at any time (including brand new player)s can actively score points for their team. It is not unusual for a team to have 5 or more “touchers”, so bonus points can win or lose the game.
Penalty Points
Drives accrue two penalty points. This is to encourage bowlers to draw and to actively discourage bowlers charging through the head, ‘looking’ for luck. A drive is a bowl that finishes in the ditch.
Scoring – The normal score system is used and begins from either jack. This first jack is then removed. No bowl is to be disturbed. The same normal scoring system is then applied to the second jack. The score totals from both jacks are recorded on the card.
Competition Winners
Any established system can be used, but a “point system” is ideal for the game. The suggestion is; 1 Point for a winning end. 1 Point each for a drawn end. 1 Point extra for an end winning advantage of 3 shots. 2 Points extra for an end winning advantage of 4 or more shots. Bonus and Penalty points are to be taken into account.
Two jacks – Two heads
Each lead rolls one jack. They are lifted and placed 1m either side of the centerline. Usually both jacks remain separate targets throughout the end, which encourages every player to rely on direct draw shot skills to score points.
Tactics
No two games can ever be the same. Every shot from Lead to Skip may require a different tactical approach to gain progressive scoring advantage. This could include trying for shot bowls to both jacks. Moving a Jack away from an opposition bowl(s). The Lead and Second quietly setting up a few shot bowls close to one Jack, the Skip then goes for the other. The scoring tide can turn very rapidly and never forget the opposition might be up to the same tricks and be better tacticians. Be ever vigilant!
Bonus Points
A bonus point for a “toucher”. Anyone, at any time (including brand new player)s can actively score points for their team. It is not unusual for a team to have 5 or more “touchers”, so bonus points can win or lose the game.
Penalty Points
Drives accrue two penalty points. This is to encourage bowlers to draw and to actively discourage bowlers charging through the head, ‘looking’ for luck. A drive is a bowl that finishes in the ditch.
Scoring – The normal score system is used and begins from either jack. This first jack is then removed. No bowl is to be disturbed. The same normal scoring system is then applied to the second jack. The score totals from both jacks are recorded on the card.
Competition Winners
Any established system can be used, but a “point system” is ideal for the game. The suggestion is; 1 Point for a winning end. 1 Point each for a drawn end. 1 Point extra for an end winning advantage of 3 shots. 2 Points extra for an end winning advantage of 4 or more shots. Bonus and Penalty points are to be taken into account.
2 x 6
This game provides players with the chance to gains skills in playing lead and skip and playing as a single player as well as playing with a pair. Team 1 (1A + 1B) / Team 2 (2A + 2B)
The game consists of 6 ends. The team with the most shots after all 6 ends is deemed the winner.
Each player throws 4 bowls.
End 1 – PAIRS (all A and B)
Toss a coin to determine which team will deliver the jack and throw the first bowl.
Player A (winning team) will deliver the first bowl, followed by player A (opposing team). Third to throw is player B (winning team), followed by B (opposing team).
Players continue in turn until all bowls are played.
Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 2 – SINGLES (only A)
B players should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the A players.
Only the A players throw for this end, alternating between A of the winning team delivering the jack and throwing the first bowl, followed by A of the opposing team. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end. All A bowls are to be removed from the greens. B players will move back to play the next end.
End 3 – SINGLES (only B)
A players will be at the opposing end of the rink to provide guidance to the B players.
Only the B players throw for this end, alternating between the B of the winning team delivering the jack and throwing the first bowl, followed by B of the opposing team. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 4 – SINGLES (A vs. B) OR (B vs. A)
The winning team from End 3 chooses who will play singles in End 4. A (winning team) vs. B (opposing) or B (winning) vs. A (opposing)
Those not bowling should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the bowlers.
The winning team from End 3 delivers the jack and throws the first bowl, followed by the opposing team player. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end. All bowls are to be removed from the greens. Players who did not bowl, will move back to the other end of the rink to play the next end.
End 5 – SINGLES (B vs. A) OR (A vs B)
Players who did not play end 4 bowl this end.
Those not bowling should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the bowlers.
The winning team from End 4 delivers the jack and throws the first bowl, followed by the opposing team player. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 6 – PAIRS (all B and A)
Player B (winning team) will deliver the first bowl, followed by player B (opposing team). Third to throw will be player A (winning team), followed by player A (opposing team).
Players continue in turn until all bowls are played.
Shots are scored as per normal rules.
Credit: T ValitaloThe game consists of 6 ends. The team with the most shots after all 6 ends is deemed the winner.
Each player throws 4 bowls.
End 1 – PAIRS (all A and B)
Toss a coin to determine which team will deliver the jack and throw the first bowl.
Player A (winning team) will deliver the first bowl, followed by player A (opposing team). Third to throw is player B (winning team), followed by B (opposing team).
Players continue in turn until all bowls are played.
Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 2 – SINGLES (only A)
B players should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the A players.
Only the A players throw for this end, alternating between A of the winning team delivering the jack and throwing the first bowl, followed by A of the opposing team. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end. All A bowls are to be removed from the greens. B players will move back to play the next end.
End 3 – SINGLES (only B)
A players will be at the opposing end of the rink to provide guidance to the B players.
Only the B players throw for this end, alternating between the B of the winning team delivering the jack and throwing the first bowl, followed by B of the opposing team. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 4 – SINGLES (A vs. B) OR (B vs. A)
The winning team from End 3 chooses who will play singles in End 4. A (winning team) vs. B (opposing) or B (winning) vs. A (opposing)
Those not bowling should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the bowlers.
The winning team from End 3 delivers the jack and throws the first bowl, followed by the opposing team player. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end. All bowls are to be removed from the greens. Players who did not bowl, will move back to the other end of the rink to play the next end.
End 5 – SINGLES (B vs. A) OR (A vs B)
Players who did not play end 4 bowl this end.
Those not bowling should move to opposite end of the rink to provide guidance to the bowlers.
The winning team from End 4 delivers the jack and throws the first bowl, followed by the opposing team player. Players continue in turn until all bowls are played. Shots are scored as per normal rules. The team with the most shots of the end then plays first on the next end.
End 6 – PAIRS (all B and A)
Player B (winning team) will deliver the first bowl, followed by player B (opposing team). Third to throw will be player A (winning team), followed by player A (opposing team).
Players continue in turn until all bowls are played.
Shots are scored as per normal rules.
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