A common format for both Club-level tournaments and Club casual, friendly play is the Mêlée, in which teams and matches are randomly determined. Random selection is important for avoiding cliques and welcoming newcomers.

The first task is deciding how many teams are needed. Pétanque can be played as doubles, triples, or singles, with singles including various “cutthroat” formats for head-to-head play with an odd number of players. It is possible to organize a group of five players as one triples team (throwing two boules each) against one doubles team (throwing three boules each), although this is less desirable since having three boules is an advantage. The Oakmont terrain accommodates playing areas (pistes) for one, two, or three games. If there are 10 players available, for example, there will be two games on two pistes, one with two triples teams and one with two doubles teams.

Once the number of teams is determined, the teams and matches can be randomized. Oakmont has traditionally used playing cards. If there are 10 players, individuals will draw cards from a modified deck consisting of three aces, three kings, two queens and two jacks. Aces will play kings (two triples teams) and queens will play jacks (two doubles teams).

Another common method is the “splash.” All players throw in one boule. If there is a small number of players, someone will hold all the boules with a cochonnet and throw them overhead, with teams and matches decided by distance from the cochonnet. For a larger group, say 10, the boules are lined up with someone asked to turn around and pick three numbers between 1 and 10. Those three boules are removed. Then pick three numbers between 1 and 7. Those three boules are removed, and one triples match is determined. Then pick two numbers between 1 and 4. Those two boules are removed, and with the remaining two boules one doubles match is determined.

A third common method is throwing. All players line up. A cochonnet is thrown out 7-10 meters. On a count of three, all players throw one boule toward the cochonnet. Teams and matches are organized as boules closest to the cochonnet are removed in order of distance to fit the number of teams needed.

Pétanque in Oakmont Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

The Club encourages all Oakmonters who may be interested in playing or learning to play pétanque (pay-tonk) to come to the courts between Berger and the OVA offices at 9:45 a.m. on the Club play days of Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The Club has boules to lend while you’re learning, and you’ll be playing right away. No dues are required – just sign up to be on the Club roster. Club play days are casual friendly games with teams randomly assigned. Anyone, regardless of experience, is welcome to enjoy the challenge and camaraderie of a simple game that is inexpensive, fun to play, learned quickly, and endlessly fascinating in its deeper levels of execution and strategy.