Bocce Ball

1 Game Overview

Bocce is an ancient Italian lawn game similar to bowls. Players roll large balls (bocce) toward a small target ball called the pallino (or jack). The team with balls closest to the pallino scores. Simple to learn, endlessly tactical.

Bocce is played in teams of 1, 2, or 4 players. Each team has 4 bocce balls of a distinct color.

2 What's in the Box

• 8 bocce balls (4 per team/color)
• 1 pallino (small target ball)
• Measuring tape (for close calls)

3 Setup

1. Determine teams and throwing order. Flip a coin.
2. The starting team throws the pallino to begin the frame. The pallino must land at least halfway down the court and stay inbounds.
3. The team that threw the pallino throws first.

4 How to Play

1. The team that threw the pallino rolls their first bocce ball.
2. The other team rolls until they get a ball closer to the pallino than the opposing team's closest ball - or until they run out of balls.
3. Whichever team doesn't currently have the closest ball always rolls next. This continues until all balls are played.
4. Score the frame: only the team with the ball closest to the pallino scores. They get 1 point for each ball closer to the pallino than the opponent's nearest ball.
5. The winning team throws the pallino to start the next frame.

5 Winning

First team to reach 12 points (sometimes 13 or 15 by house rules) wins the game. Some play to a set number of frames.

6 Strategy Tips

• Spock (lofting) vs. roll. Rolling along the ground is more accurate but vulnerable to blocks. A high lob over blocking balls is harder but very effective.
• Knock it back. Sometimes the best play is hitting the pallino away from clustered opponent balls, or knocking opponent balls away from the pallino.
• Get close first, then block. Get one ball close to the pallino, then use remaining balls to protect it.
• Measure when in doubt. Close calls should always be measured. Optical illusions are common.