Gameplay & Rules
Object of the game:
Points are scored by bowling balls closer to the feather than your opponent
The game is played to 10 points
Two teams of 1 - 4 players, six balls per team
When played with 1-2 players per team, shoot at alternating ends
When played with 3-4 players per team, divide teams across opposite ends
How to play:
A coin flip determines which team starts the game
This team bowls ALL six balls, trying to score and establish defense
The opposing team then bowls ALL six balls, scoring through finesse or by displacing their opponents’ shots
One point is given for each ball that is closer to the feather than the opponents closest (no extra points for landing on the feather)
Players must bowl from behind the feather, and any balls that contact the end of the lane will be removed from play
The scoring team starts the next turn
Basic Strategy
While feather bowling is simple to learn, it can take a lifetime to master.
A common strategy for the starting team is to place two or three balls near the target, then use the rest as blockers. The opposing team then chooses between precision rolls or aggressive shots to disrupt the leading team's position.
Play the balance of the ball
The ball features a 4mm recess on one side, which makes it slightly off-balance. This design creates an intentionally favored side. When rolled on a perfectly flat surface, the ball will curve away from the recess, ultimately landing with the recess facing upward.
Although it may seem like a small detail, experienced bowlers can use this feature to their advantage by planning how they want the ball to land or by influencing its path.
Advanced Strategy
Example of a game (from The West Flemish Trabol Game by Gerard Vervaeke)
Starting Team: Establishing defense
In this example, the starting team has positioned two balls about a foot from the feather, placing them in a strong scoring position. They have evenly distributed a series of blockers throughout the rest of the lane.
1st Attack Ball
The first attacking ball is shot with an arc around all defending balls. The shot should be ideally placed with moderate power to avoid moving the two blue balls, which can serve as a backboard for future shots. This scenario highlights how the preferred roll of the ball can be significant; positioning the recess inward may increase the shot's arc by a few crucial inches.
2nd Attack Ball
Aimed to thread through the two blocking balls. Again, played without too much power.
3rd Attack Ball
Played similarly to the 2nd shot.
4th Attack Ball
Similar to the first ball, this shot is arced around the blockers with enough power to knock the opponent's ball out of scoring position.
5th Attack Ball
Similar to the fourth ball, it is targeted to eliminate the other blue ball from a position that is either scoring or preventing other attacking balls from being counted.
6th Attack Ball
Carefully threaded toward the target with a gentle touch, in an attempt to score more points without knocking their balls out of scoring position. Previous balls can serve as a backboard for this gently rolled ball.