Bocce, or bocce ball, can be played on a court or in a large, open space. Each team uses a set of differently colored balls and throws their balls toward a smaller ball called a pallino. Each team tries to score by landing more balls in closer proximity to the pallino than the other.
Team Size
Bocce can be played one-on-one, or in teams made up of two or four players each. On a four-person team, each player throws one ball. On a two-person team, each player may throw two balls. When one person competes against another, each person throws all four of their balls.
Equipment
A small, bright ball called the pallino is the target at which the players will aim. Each team holds four larger balls, and each team's balls are distinguished from the other's by differences in their color or pattern.
Playing Surfaces
Play bocce on any flat surface consisting of packet dirt, fine gravel or short grass. A bocce court can be constructed or the game can be played in an open area such as a park or beach.
Playing and Scoring
To start the game, toss a coin to determine who will throw the pallino. The player who tosses the pallino tosses or rolls the first ball and tries to land it as close to the pallino as possible. The opposing team then tries to land a ball closer to the pallino. If the opposing team fails, they continue to throw their balls until one of them lands closer to the target, or until all four balls have been thrown. If an opposing team's ball lands closer to the pallino, the starting team rolls again and attempts to come closer still. While each team's primary objective is to land their balls closest to the target, they may also achieve this by knocking the other team's balls away from the pallino or by knocking the pallino toward any of their own balls.
Scoring
After all eight balls have been played, points are awarded to the team who landed a ball closest to the pallino. That team receives one point for each ball it has landed closer than one of the other team's balls. If all four of one team's balls are closer than the other team's, that team wins four points. If the losing team has one ball closer than one of the scoring team's, the scoring team scores only three points, and so on. Once the score is determined, the scoring team throws the pallina to start a new frame. This continues until one team scores 16 points.
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