Against the computer
Three opponents of increasing skill: Simon (easy), Maryvonne (normal) and Tonton Fañch (expert).
Free · no sign-up · works offline
Breton palet game online, for free
Play Breton palets in your browser: on a poplar board, five meters away, land your palets closest to the jack, in the garden or at the bar, in 6, 12 or 15 points.
Three ways to play
Alone, with a friend or to get better
Two players
On the same screen, taking turns, just like around the real board.
Training
Work on your throw with no pressure. Show the whole trajectory to learn faster.
The rulebook
Breton palet rules
Breton palets are played on a wooden board, hence the name its federation gives it: "palet sur planche bois" (palets on a wooden board). The idea is the same as in boules: throw your palets as close as possible to a small target, the maître (also called the petit, or jack).
The equipment
A poplar board, 70 × 70 cm and 3 cm thick, laid on the grass outdoors or on a square of carpet indoors. Cast-iron palets numbered 1 to 12, about 150 g each, and the maître, a small cast-iron piece marked with a star, about 75 g.
The distance
A throwing line is drawn 5 meters from the front edge of the board. To throw, the player puts the sole of the leading foot on the line.
Players and palets
In singles, each player has 4 palets. In doubles, two players per team, with 4 palets each. In quadrette, four players per team, with 2 palets each.
How an end is played
A player from the team drawn by lot throws the maître onto the board, then plays 2 palets in a row. The opponent plays 2 palets to take the point; if they fail, they play their other 2 palets. As in boules, the team that does not hold the point plays.
Good palet, dead palet
To be good, a palet must land on the board, or on a palet already on the board, without touching the ground. A palet that hits the ground before ending up on the board is removed, and any palets it moved are put back in place.
Scoring
At the end of the end, the team with the palet closest to the maître scores one point per palet closer than the opponents' best palet: you can score as many points as you have palets. Measuring is done by mutual agreement, with a palet compass or a tape measure.
The "atout", when it's a tie
When two opposing palets are the same distance from the maître, it is an "atout". If the player made the atout with their first palet, they play their second; if they made it with their second, the opponent plays. If the tie remains at the end of the end, the point is not awarded.
The game
The team that won the end takes the maître for the next one. A game is played to 12 points; in tournaments, qualifying games are played to 12 points and finals to 15.
Sources (in French): "Palet sur planche de bois" record by the Fédération Française de Palet sur Planche Bois (FFPPB), French intangible cultural heritage inventory, Ministry of Culture · official FNSMR palet rulebook (2019). In tournaments, the organizer's rulebook prevails.
A bit of history
A game born on Breton farms
Palets on a board appeared after the First World War: people played on farms, on the wooden floors of houses. The equipment then became specific, with cast-iron palets and a poplar board, chosen because the wood is soft.
In the 1960s, clubs were founded and organized big tournaments, then a federation was created in 2001. Ille-et-Vilaine is still the heart of the game, which is listed in France's intangible cultural heritage inventory. It is still passed down in families, at festive gatherings.
How to play
Aim, set the power, release
With the mouse or a finger
- Press to place the player.
- Pull down for power.
- Slide left or right to aim.
- Swipe up to release the palet. Lift your finger without swiping up to cancel.
With the keyboard
- ← → to aim.
- ↑ ↓ for power (Shift for fine tuning).
- Space to throw.
On your phone
Add the game to your home screen (on iPhone and iPad: Safari, Share menu). It then works offline.
About the online game
Is the online Breton palet game free?
Yes: it is free and needs no sign-up, it plays right in your browser.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes, on computer, tablet and phone. On iPhone and iPad, add it to your home screen from Safari (Share menu) to open it like an app.
Does the game work offline?
Yes: once added to your home screen, it also works without a network.
Can two people play?
Yes, two players on the same screen, taking turns. You can also play against the computer, at three levels, or train alone.
Does the game follow the real Breton palet rules?
It follows the basics: a poplar board five meters away, 4 palets per player, the maître to get close to, games to 12 points and finals to 15. A quick 6-point game is also available.
Does the game collect data?
It counts visits and games anonymously, with no cookies and no personal data.
Where can I find a real palet set for the home?
Ti Palet 3D prints sets of 12 palets + the jack, in your colors, sized like the classic ones (56 mm, and 45 mm for the jack), but lighter to play indoors.
Move on to the real board
12 palets + the jack, in your colors, 3D printed to play at home.
Build my set