The game is played between two teams of 1, 2 or 3 players.  In singles or doubles each player uses 3 boules. In triples 2 boules only per player. However, for leisure play, 2 boules per player are satisfactory in any game. The game begins by tossing a coin to decide who should begin the game and also have the right to place the small ball, the “but” or “jack”.

The first player then traces on the ground a circle large enough to stand in (.35m - .50m diameter) and throws the “but” forward, a distance between 6 and 10 metres. If he throws it outside these distances his team has the right to try twice again, otherwise the opposing team attempts to do the same.

The first player of the team who won the toss, or the preceding end, throws his first boule as near the “but” as possible; he must be careful to keep his feet inside the circle until the boule touches the ground.

As soon as the boule has stopped rolling, the first player of the opposing team throws his first boule from the same circle and must try to place his boule nearer to the “but” than his opponent.