If I win the toss to start the game, must I play first?
No, you have the choice to either play, or ask your opponent to play.
Can any member of the team 1. Deliver the jack 2. Measure shots.
1. No, only the lead can deliver the jack
2. Yes, as delegated by the skip, but this is usually the 2nd in triples and the 3rd in rinks (fours)
If I deliver the jack and it strikes someone going up the rink, what happens?
If it was an opponent or neutral person or object that was struck, you re-deliver it, or, if it was one of your own team that was struck, your opponent re-delivers it and can re-position the mat to do so if they wish. No matter who delivers the jack, the winner of the last scoring end delivers the 1st bowl.
How often can the leads, in turn, deliver illegal jacks to start an end, and then what?
Only once each, then the jack is then set at the distant 2 metre mark with the mat placement at the option of the first person due to play.
I deliver the jack because of an illegal delivery by my opponent, do I then bowl first?
No, the winner of the last scoring end, or the winner of the toss on the 1st end always plays first and can re-position the mat.
Must I have two feet on the mat to deliver the jack or the bowls?
No, but one must be on, or in the air over the mat at the moment of delivery.
Is there a time limit for a bowl to be a “toucher” I.e. Comes to rest, ten falls over to touch the jack?
Yes. It must make contact before the next bowl to be played leaves the players hand, or if it is the last bowl to be played it must be within 30 seconds of it coming to rest.
What if a jack and /or bowl enter the end ditch?
The position of the jack is marked on the bank by the white marker. If the bowls has touched the jack (a toucher) it remains live and its position is marked on the bank by the red marker. Non toucher bowls (dead bowls) are removed to the bank.
What if the jack is in the ditch and is touched by, or stops a newly delivered bowl?
The bowl becomes “dead”. A bowl can never become a toucher once the jack is in the ditch. If the jack is moved, it should be re-positioned by agreement from both players / sides., or if agreement cannot be reached, the end must be declared a “no end”
What is a “no end”
If something has interfered with play (e.g.see above) and agreement about replacement of bowls or jack cannot be reached , or If the jack is knocked outside the side rink markers. A no end” must be replayed in the same direction either straight away, or at the end of the match. Possession of the jack, must be the same as at the “no end”
What is a “dead end”
If both nearest bowls are equidistant from the jack, or both touching. The end is still counted but with no score to either side. Possession of the jack for the next endis with the side who won the previous end.
What does “rink possession’ mean?
Once the bowl currently in play comes to rest, the player who delivered it, must be either at the back of the mat, or up at the head, because at that moment “possession of the rink” passes to the opposite team, and the team not in possession may not hold up, nor distract in any way, the player about to play.
What happens if a bowl, or the jack, rebounds from the bank back onto the rink?
If a “non toucher” it becomes a dead bowl, and any bowls disturbed by it are restored as near as possible to their original position by a member of the opposing team. A “toucher” and / or the jack remains in play and disturbance caused by them are legal and valid.
What if I play another’s bowl by mistake?
Nothing happens. Once at rest, mark its position and angle, replace it exactly with yours and return the bowl to its owner.
What happens if I play before my turn?
If the bowl is on its way, the opposing skip can stop it and return it to be played in the proper sequence. If it is not noticed until it comes to rest, providing it is A) still live, and b) has not disturbed the head, the player who should have played, plays 2 bowls in succession to restore the proper sequence. If however it has disturbed the head, the
opposing skip has three options.
!) Leave things as they are and have the player play two bowls in succession.
2) Replace the head to its original position and return the bowl to be re-played in its proper turn or
3) Declare a “no end”