Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Bowls (Lawn Bowls)

Bowls is growing in popularity, with all ages enjoying playing and watching the game. Playing bowls is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and its long tradition dating back centuries adds to its enduring appeal.

Contrary to existing held views bowls is not only played on quiet English lawns in the summer but is a highly skilled sport that requires technique, patience and a tactical brain.

Introduction to lawn bowls

Lawn bowls, often referred to as lawn bowling, is a precision sport that challenges players to roll their bowls as close as possible to a smaller ball called the jack.

Played on a carefully maintained grass or synthetic surface known as a bowling green, the game is generally played outdoors, though indoor versions exist.

The bowling green is divided into parallel playing strips called rinks, with each rink serving as the playing area for a match.

During play, competitors take turns rolling their bowls from one end of the green towards the jack, which is positioned at the other end. The main goal is to have your bowls closer to the jack than your opponent’s, with points awarded based on the number of bowls closer to the target.

Whether played socially or competitively, lawn bowls is a game of skill, strategy, and accuracy, making it a favorite for players of all ages.

The aim of bowls

The objective of bowls is to gently ‘glide’ your bowls from end of the lawn to the end, aiming for the bowl to get as close to the jack as possible, ensuring that your bowl is closer to the jack than any of your opponent’s bowls.

Sounds easy right?

Well no, because the bowls (the balls) are not entirely spherical and never travel in a straight line. Instead, they follow a curved path due to their bias, so players have to guess where their bowl’s trajectory will land after releasing from their hands.

Bowls then is a highly tactical and challenging sport.

Bowl rules are the same whether they are played indoors or outside on the lawn greens, where they typically are at international events.

Scoring in bowls

In lawn bowls, a point is awarded for each bowl that is delivered closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest bowl. If one player delivers four bowls, three were far away from the jack, but one was right next to it, closer than their opponent’s nearest, then the first player wins the point for that bowl. It does not matter how many bowls are closer to the jack, only the one that is the closest determines the point for that bowl.

For example, in sectional play, if both teams have the same number of bowls closest to the jack, each team is awarded one point for a tie.

Another example will be if one player has three shots nearer the jack than any of their opponent’s bowls, then that player scores two points at that end if two bowls are closer than the opponent’s nearest. In a tied match during sectional play, three points may be awarded to each team, following the 4-3-2-1 format for ranking.

The game continues until either one player is the first to reach 21 points or either 18 or 21 ends have been played, with the highest score winning the match. In some match formats, the set is awarded to the first to seven points, emphasizing the progression from individual points to overall match victory. Throughout the game, each team’s shots are tracked and accumulated over a series of ends to determine the winner.

Bowls equipment

Bowling Jack

The jack is the white ball and is slightly smaller than bowls that are being played to land as close to it as possible. The jack is also known as the “white”, or “sweetie” or even a “kitty.

Bowls

Bowls themselves, are made of rubber, wood or a composition. Each bowl (also known as woods) carrying different weights.

Heavier bowls are made from a very hard wood called lignum vitae. The advantage of using heavier bowls will depend on players grips. Too heavy will impact a player’s ability to release the bowl as they need to, either as a powerful or curved shot.

Composition bowls are heavier than lignum vitae but lighter, so players with smaller hands can bowl with the same power and precision than those with larger hands or heavier wood bowls. Composition bowls are also more weather and temperature resistant keeping their polished look for longer.

Lignum vitae bowls do weather in the sun and lose a bit of their weight accordingly. Lignum bowls, however, are more responsive to bias and therefore better for curved shots.

Bowls are in sets of four, which is the maximum amount of bowls a player in any one game can use. In some formats, each player uses two bowls per end. This affects play by requiring players to carefully consider the placement of each bowl, as both are used to determine which is closest to the jack and to score points accordingly.

Bowling greens

Lawn greens are divided into rinks 5.8 metres by 4.3 metres, four corners marked by pegs of wood and painted white. The corner pegs are connected by a green thread drawn tightly along the green’s surface. The pegs and thread define the boundaries of the ‘rink.’ The jack is often placed at the middle of the rink to set up play.

Moreover, lawn greens must be precision-level flat and surrounded by a ditch and a bank.

Game formats and rules

Lawn bowls offers a variety of formats to suit different group sizes and skill levels, including singles, pairs, triples, and fours. In team bowling formats, each team member takes turns to bowl all their bowls before the next player steps up.

The team captain, often called the “skipper,” plays last and is responsible for directing the team’s shots and overall tactics. The scoring system is straightforward: after all bowls have been played in an end, points are awarded for each bowl that is closer to the jack than the opponent’s closest bowl.

In singles competition, the first player to reach 21 points is declared the winner.

In pairs, triples, and fours, the team with the highest score after a specified number of ends claims victory.

This structure ensures that every bowl counts, and teamwork, strategy, and precision are essential for success in all forms of the game.

How bowls in played

A coin toss is used to determine which player or team will start the game.

Players deliver their bowl standing on a rubber mat placed on the green at the centre line. The position of the centre line itself is determined by the player who throws the jack to start the game or ‘end.’ The first bowler to deliver their bowls in each end is called the lead, who also places the mat and rolls the jack to set up play. Before releasing the bowl from the hand, players must keep at least one foot on the mat and maintain a stable rest or stance to ensure accuracy. Failing to do this is judged as a foot fault.

The players take alternate turns to deliver their four bowls. Each bowl is bowled or rolled towards the jack with skill and control. Once all bowls have been delivered, the number of ‘shots’ is tallied up.

You may hear players asking, “who is holding shot?” Meaning that which player’s bowl is nearest to the jack. In bowling parlance, terms like ‘end’ (a round of play), ‘head’ (the group of bowls around the jack), and ‘toucher’ (a bowl that touches the jack) are commonly used to describe gameplay and scoring.

After each round, the game proceeds to the next end.

Bowling deliveries

Bowls are not round, with one side being shaved giving them ‘bias’ when delivered. The bias impacts the bowl that when it slows down, the bowl begins to turn or roll in the direction of the bias.

Depending on which direction bowlers wish for the bowl to be delivered, they will alternate the bias to get nearer to the jack as possible. The challenge then in bowls, is to be able to adjust the line and length of the delivery accordingly.

Generally, the quicker the delivery, the smaller the curve when gliding across the green. Faster deliveries are ideal for knocking other bowls out of the way nearer the jack. Slower deliveries will curve and are used for ‘placement’ near the jack.

Popular types of bowls deliveries are:

• Draw shot: Allowing the bowler to roll the bowl to a specific location without knocking the other bowls.

• Forehand draw: For right-handed bowlers, this delivery is aimed at the right of the jack with the intention for the bowl to curve to the left.

• Backhand draw: Is the opposite to a forehand draw, aiming for the left of the jack with the intention of curving the ball to the right. Both are slower deliveries with the aim of getting closer to the jack as possible.

• The drive: A faster, more powerful shot with the aim of knocking other bowls closer to the jack and out of play. When using a drive, bowls falling into the ditch are usually considered dead and removed from play, unless they have touched the jack. In such cases, these bowls can remain alive and are not declared dead even after entering the ditch.

• Upshot or yard on: Similar to a drive shot with the intention of knocking the bowls away from the jack but not ‘killing the end’ – not pushing the bowls into the bank. This blocks an opponent’s future bowls from getting closer to the jack.

Bowls that have touched the jack during play are called touchers. Chalk is used to mark these touchers, ensuring they are easily identified and remain alive even if they fall into the ditch.

At the end of an end, the result or decision may stand as valid, or if the outcome is tied, further play such as an extra end may be required to determine the winner.

Major events

Lawn bowls is featured in several prestigious international competitions, drawing top talent from around the globe.

One of the most prominent is the Commonwealth Games, where lawn bowls has been a core sport since 1930, showcasing the skills of elite lawn bowlers on a world stage.

The World Bowls Tour is another major event, bringing together the best players to compete in a series of tournaments throughout the year, with a points system determining the overall champion. Other significant competitions include the World Bowls Championships and the Asian Lawn Bowls Championships, both of which attract leading players and teams. These events not only highlight the competitive spirit of the sport but also help to grow its popularity and profile worldwide.

How to bet on bowls: know the game

Bowls—particularly lawn bowls—is a sport of precision, strategy, and patience. Though long associated with older generations, it’s enjoying a resurgence among younger players and now features on the radar of the wider betting community.

The objective is straightforward: roll biased balls (or “woods”) towards a smaller white ball called the “jack.” The player or team with the bowls closest to the jack after all have been played scores points. Matches are played as singles, pairs, triples, or fours, with the format varying slightly across domestic leagues and international competitions. In singles matches, two opponents face off directly, each aiming to outscore their opponent by placing their bowls closer to the jack. The presence and tactics of opponents play a crucial role in determining the outcome, as players must constantly adapt their strategy to outmaneuver their opponents.

In addition to formal competitions, social games are also popular and can be found at local clubs and bowls clubs, which provide opportunities for both casual and competitive play.

What to consider when betting on bowls:

• Player form: Individual skill is critical, especially in singles or pairs formats.

• Surface conditions: Grass speed and weather can influence play significantly.

• Experience: Veteran bowlers often have an edge in shot selection and mental composure.

• Tournament format: Round-robin vs. knockout structures can affect motivation and betting value.

Popular bowls betting markets:

• Match winner

• Correct score

• Winning margin

• End-by-end betting (where available)

As the sport grows globally—particularly in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand—so too does the availability of markets and odds. New bettors can benefit from exploring advice from betting tipsters, while advanced users may find an edge by using arbitrage betting software to compare prices across bookmakers.

Bowls may be methodical in pace, but its strategic depth offers compelling opportunities for those who appreciate thoughtful competition and smart wagering.