BeanBoule
BeanBoule is a game for any age that can toss a beanbag. Well, and keep score, although I suppose that is optional. You can buy equipment for BeanBoule… we are working on selling some at Farmer’s Markets and that kind of thing but, seriously, you can make your own or just buy some beanbags.
If you play the game and enjoy it, let us know in the comments below.
Equipment
Bean Boule is played with the following equipment:
Unique Beanbag
A unique beanbag (ie not like any of the player’s beanbags) or other item such a stone or pinecone, etc. This beanbag is used as the ‘target’ for the players to throw at.
Player Beanbags
Each player should have an equal number of beanbags that they will throw during the tame. These should be of a certain unique color or design so that the player’s can tell their bags apart.
Circle
A rope or some other object should be used to mark the ‘circle’ in which players must stand to throw their beanbags.
Basic Game
BeanBoule can be played in several different formats. The basic game is the simplest, and should be used for younger children or those just begining to learn to play.
Before beginning the game, choose a number of points you wish to play to, dividee the players into two teams, and choose and an area to play.
1) Place the ‘circle’ on the floor.
2) A player chosen randomly (for the first game) throws the ‘unique’ or ‘target’ beanbag out into the playing field. The target beanbag must fall between six and ten steps of the player throwing. If it doesn’t, a player from the opposing team gets to throw. This rule is meant to be only lightly enforced.
3) The starting player (the one chosen randomly even if he didn’t succeed in his throw) then throws one of his beanbags out toward the target.
-If his beanbag lands touching the target (after everything has stopped moving) then his team scores a point and a player from the other team becomes the first player.
4) If the first player does not end up with their bag touching the target, then a player on the other team gets to throw.
-Again, if his beanbag ends up touching the target, then that team scores a point and the other team gets to go first.
5) If all players have thrown all of their beanbags, then the team gets the point whose bag is clearly closer.
-In order to count the part of the bag must be visible from above.
-If two bags seem equally close, and one of them is on top of the other, the one on top is the winner.
-If no bag is clearly closer, than the players begin another round, with the ‘second’ team throwing first.
Intermediate Game
1) Play proceeds as with basic except
-If any player’s beanbag is not obviously closer thant the closest beanbag of their opponent, then that player’s team continues to throw. (Example: the first player throws a beanbag. Since the opponents have no beanbags on the field, his is ‘closest’. So a player from the other throws. But his beanbag lands obviously farther away! So he must throw another.)
-Play always continues until all beanbags are thrown.
-If more than one player’s beanbag ends up on top of the target, the topmost bag gets the point.
-If neither BB is on top of the other, than the one that covers the target the most gets the point.
-If no player is on top of the target, the closest player gets the point.
Advanced Game
Play as intermediate except:
-More than one point may be gained by the winning team. After a point is given for the win, the inning team may gain another point if they would have gotten a point even if their winning beanbag had not been there. (The winning beanbag may be carefully removed to help clarify the situation.)
- The winning team may get a third, fourth point in the same fashion.
-The losing team may never score a point.
History
BeanBoule is a derivative of a very famous French game called ‘boule’ or ‘petanque’. That game uses heavy metal balls instead of beanbags, and is thus harder on young children and inside play.
Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.
If I don’t write you back it is almost certain that I didn’t see it, so please feel free to comment and link to your post. Or if you just think I would be interested in your post!
If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.
Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books include:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
Arthur also has a substack, and a website.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von