Carpet Bowling Rules

The following rules for Carpet Bowling are taken from the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA).

RULE SOURCE:

Carpet Bowl Handbook (available from OSGA office) and as amended for the Ontario Senior Games Association with the exceptions listed under “Tournament Set-Up” and “Carpet Bowling Rules Summary.”

Websites

www.bowlscanada.com

www.short-mat-bowls.com or www.short-mat-magazine.com

OSGA EVENT REQUIREMENTS:

Equipment

1. 12-16 regulation size Carpet Bowling carpets (30’ (9.4 metres) long x 6’ (1.83 metres) wide)
2. 4” indoor biased carpet bowls (only)

Facilities

1. The facility must be well illuminated and large enough to appropriately space 12 -16 Carpet Bowling carpets

OFFICIALS:

The Ontario Senior Games Association requires at minimum the following officials for Ontario Senior Games - Actifest.

For District Games, the following are only a suggestion. Participation numbers and availablity of volunteers may result in fewer officials being required. Districts are encouraged to try to have the necessary officials to run the event successfully.

One (1) Senior Official/Event Convenor

One (1) Umpire for every two(2) carpets

One (1) Scorekeeper for every carpet

The host committee will ensure that all major officials have the required qualifications as specified by the Ontario Senior Games Association at least one (1) year prior to Ontario Senior Games - Actifest. The host committee is also responsible for any other officials required to run this event.

Note: (Rodney Carpet Bowlers self-regulate, as all games are for fun and recreation)

CARPET BOWLING RULES SUMMARY:

1. Participants are allowed to socialize during games in a manner that is not disturbing to participants in the games. The social aspect of the games is an important aspect of the philosophy of the OSGA.
2. Location of Players:
   1. All players, except the skippers, must remain at the delivery end until the skippers are due to bowl and they shall change end to end.
   2. The skipper may only indicate the position of their team’s bowls or the jack by hand signals and the possibility of being in scoring position or not.
3. Start the Game: The first opponents shall toss and winner of the toss shall have the choice of the set of bowls to use and shall have the option of directing the opponent to bowl the jack and the first bowl or electing to do so himself.
   1. The winner of the previous end at which a score was recorded shall start each succeeding end. In deciding the winner of an end penalty scores must not be considered.
   2. The first to play bowl in an end that result in a tie (no score), a dead end or a penalty shall again play first.
4. Bowling the Jack:
   1. If the jack, when bowled, runs off the carpet either at the ends or the sides or if no part of it reaches the line 6.096m (20’) from the delivery end of the carpet, it shall be sent back for the opponent to bowl it.
   2. After each leader has had one unsatisfactory throw, the jack shall be placed approximately 7.315m (24’) from the delivery end of the carpet and in the centre of the carpet.
   3. The opponents throwing of the jack shall not affect the order of playing the bowls.
5. Delivering the Bowl:
   1. At the moment of delivery a player must have a least part of one foot within and on, the footer. No portion of either foot may be on or over any portion of the carpet except the footer area.
   2. At the moment of releasing a bowl a player must have the hand delivering the bowl within the boundaries of the delivery rectangle. The bowl must pass wholly over the front line of the delivery rectangle. It must not cross the sidelines of the delivery rectangle.
   3. If a player bowls an opponents bowl by mistake it shall, when it comes to rest, be replaced by one of his/her own bowls.
6. Playing out of Turn:
   1. When a player has played before his/her turn, the opposing skip shall have the right to stop the bowl in its course and it shall be played in its proper turn but in the event of the bowl so played, having moved or displaced the jack or bowl, the opposing skipper shall have the option of allowing the end to remain as it is after the bowl so played has come to rest or having the end declared dead.
7. Movement of Bowls:
   1. If a bowl, while in motion or at rest on the carpet, is interfered with or displaced by one of the players, the opposing skipper shall have the option to: Restore the bowl as near as possible to its original position Letting it remain where it rests Declare the bowl dead Declare the end dead If a bowl in its original course is interfered with by a neutral person or object and has not disturbed the head, it shall be replayed. If it has disturbed the head, the two skippers shall agree on the replacement of the head. If they are unable to agree, the end shall be declared dead.
8. Measuring:
   1. After all bowls have been played and come to rest, the measurers shall decide the result. If measuring is necessary, either measurer may carry it out. If the opposing measurer is not satisfied, he may then measure it himself. If the measurers are not in agreement, they shall call an umpire, whose decision is final.
9. One point is allowed for each bowl nearer the jack than the nearest bowl of the opponent. If the nearest opposing bowls are equidistant from the jack, the end is a tie and no score is recorded, although it shall count as an end.
10. Penalties:

For taking the jack off the carpet in a pair’s game:

The first (1st) or second (2nd) bowls of one team – One (1) point

The third (3rd) or fourth (4th) bowls of one team – Two (2) points

The fifth (5th) or sixth (6th) bowls of one team – Three (3) points

The seventh (7th) or eighth (8th) bowls of one team – Four (4) points

When the jack is knocked off the carpet and a penalty awarded in accordance with the rules, the end is dead and a new end is started. Each team will be allowed one (1) replay of the end per game when the jack is knocked off, if time permits, except the final end when the end must be replayed (penalty be awarded in accordance with these rules).

Further Reference:

An additional source for rules and further information about carpet bowling is available by reference to the ENGLISH CARPET BOWLS ASSOCIATION. This further information is protected by copy right and can be viewed at the ECBA website. http://www.englishcarpetbowls.com/rules.html