Table Bowls

When the weather is rainy or there’s no green nearby, avid lawn bowlers don’t need to worry that they can’t partake in the game they’re so passionate about! Indoor lawn bowling can be played in a way that’s much different than indoor greens – it’s played right on a table! 

It’s thought that the game of table bowls originally came from pubs that held in the district of Carlisle sometime during the second half of the 19th century. This game uses miniature-sized bowls and jacks as well as a wooden chute and is played on a standard-sized billiards or snooker table. 

The chute is placed at one end of the table with one end resting on the table and the other end resting on the edge of the table, so that it is on a slant. The players will position the chute at the angle they want it and place their bowls into the chute. Once the bowl has been placed into the chute, it is released and the bowler has no more interference with its force or direction. (This includes using excessive force to drop the bowl into the chute.) Whoever ends up closest to the jack at the end wins the game.

Table bowls stems from the Victorian era and although not played as regularly as standard lawn bowling, it’s a game that’s still very much enjoyed today. It’s also one that takes great skill, accuracy, and practice to master!