NUMBER OF BOWLS PLAYED - Singles and Pairs are played with four bowls.  Triples are played with three bowls and Fours (or Rinks) are played with 2 bowls.

END - An End involves the playing of the Jack and all Bowls of each opponent.  An End is completed when both teams have agreed to the score or the End is declared Dead.

DEAD END - An End is declared Dead if the Jack has been hit by another Bowl beyond the boundaries of the Rink.  A Dead End is usually replayed unless the Skips decide not to replay it or the written tournament rules designate that it not be replayed.

STARTING A GAME - The first End nominally starts with the flip of a coin. The Skip who wins the toss has the choice of his team bowling first or second.  On each succeeding End, the Skip who won the preceding End has the choice of bowling first or second during the succeeding End.

PLACING THE MAT - The Mat shall be placed lengthwise on the centerline of the Rink at a distance no less than 6 feet 6 inches from the rear ditch and not less than 82 feet from the front ditch.

DELIVERING THE JACK - The Jack is properly delivered by the Lead as long as it stays within the boundaries of the Rink and, after being centered, is at least 75 feet from the edge of the Mat.  If it comes to rest outside the boundaries of the Rink, lands in the ditch, or is less than 75 feet from the front edge of the Mat, the Jack is redelivered by the opposing Lead.  If the Jack is not properly delivered, it is placed 6 feet 6 inches from the rear ditch, and the Mat can be placed at the option of the first to play provided the Jack is at least 75 feet from the front edge of the Mat.  The Lead who delivered the first Jack bowls the first Bowl of the End.

POSSESSION OF THE RINK - The player whose turn it is to bowl and his Skip shall have possession of the Rink after the previous Bowl has come to a stop. The player in possession of the Rink can receive instructions from his Skip during this period until his Bowl comes to rest.

FOOT FAULTING - A player at the moment of delivery of the Jack or Bowl must have one foot entirely within the confines of the Mat.  If a player, after one warning, continues to foot fault, an Umpire may stop the Bowl and declare the End Dead.  If the Bowl is not stopped and hits any part of the Head, the opposing team shall remove the Dead Bowl and decide whether the head should be reset, remain as disturbed, or the entire End be declared Dead.

PLAYING OUT OF TURN - If a player bowls out of turn, his Bowl should be stopped and replayed in its proper turn.  If the Bowl is not stopped and does not hit any portion of the Head, it shall remain as played and the opposing team shall bowl two Bowls.  If the offending Bowl touches the Head, the opposing team has the option of allowing the Head to remain as disturbed or declaring a Dead End.

DEAD BOWL - A Bowl is declared Dead if (a) it does not travel 46 feet from the front edge of the Mat, (b) is not a "Toucher" and falls into the front ditch, or (c) at any time comes to rest beyond the boundaries of the Rink.

TOUCHER - A Toucher is a Bowl that in the course of being bowled touches the Jack before the next Bowl has been delivered.  A Bowl is not considered a Toucher if it contacts a Jack that is resting in the front ditch.  A Toucher is distinguished by placing a chalk mark on the Bowl.  The chalk mark must be removed before the next end.  If a Toucher comes to rest in the front ditch and within the boundary of the Rink, it remains in play and part of the Head.

MOVED OR DITCHED JACK - If a Jack is moved to a different position on the Rink or into the front ditch within the boundaries of the Rink, it shall remain in play and part of the Head.

HEAD DISTURBED BY A PLAYER - If a Jack or Bowl is moved or interfered with by any player while in motion or at rest or in the Ditch, the opposing Skip shall have the option of (a) having the Jack or Bowl replaced to its former position or replayed, (b) remain in its disturbed position, (c) declare it a Dead Bowl and remove it, or (d) declare the End Dead.

DISTURBANCE FROM BOWL IN ADJOINING RINK - If a Bowl at rest is likely to be contacted by a Bowl from an adjoining Rink, it may be lifted out of position and replaced to allow the Bowl to pass.

SCORING - Measurements shall be made from the nearest point of the Jack and the Bowl.  If the Jack or Bowl is moved at the time of measuring by a player, it shall be restored to its former position by an opponent.  If some measurements have been agreed to prior to movement of the Jack or Bowl, such agreements shall stand.  The team having the nearest Bowl to the Jack shall score one point and one additional point for every other Bowl that is nearer the Jack than the nearest Bowl of the opponent.  The score for an End will be final when both opponents agree and signal the score.

THESE RULES ARE THE MOST COMMON USED IN LAWN BOWLING; however, the entire set of rules should be read in the United States Lawn Bowls Association, Laws of the Sport of Bowls; 2004 Rules and Regulations for the United States Championships; third edition.