Bocce ball's roots date back to 5,200 B.C., according to the World Bocce League. The game, as it is played today, requires only a few balls and not much space. It is also a family-friendly game, one that people of almost any age can play. Before tossing the pallino down court, learn a few of the simple rules and regulations of bocce.
Players and Balls
You can play bocce with two, four or eight players, according to the Bocce Ball Sets website. There are eight bocce balls and one smaller ball, called the pallino, that are used to play bocce. Each team throws four bocce balls. Divide the number of balls evenly among the team members. For example, in a match of two-person teams, each team member throws two bocce balls.
Game Play
Play begins with a randomly selected player throwing the pallino down the court. The goal is to score points by having your bocce balls come to rest closer to the pallino than your opponent's bocce balls. The player who throws the pallino also throws the first bocce ball down the court. A player from the opposing team throws next. The rest of the throws are determined by which team is farther from the pallino; that team throws the next bocce ball and continues to throw until it throws all of its balls or its throws a ball closest to the pallino.
Scoring
You score bocce at the completion of each throwing round. Scores are determined by which team's bocce balls are closest to the pallino. Every ball that is closer than the other team's closest ball scores one point. For example, if Team A has the closest bocce ball and Team B has the second-closest, Team A scores one point. If Team A had two balls closer than team B's closest ball Team A would score two points. Only one team scores per round. A bocce that comes to rest touching the pallino is worth two points. Games are played to a predetermined number, usually between 9 and 15.
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