How to Play
The first rule of Bocce is to hold your wine in your non-throwing hand.
The object is to throw your bocce balls closer to the “pallino” or “jack” than your opponent. The first team to reach 12 points wins the game (must win by 2). A match typically consists of 3 games.
COIN TOSS A coin will determine who places the jack to start off the 1st frame.
Rules
Bocce Ball can be played with 2 to 8 players.
POSITION THE PALLINO ON THE COURT The goal is to cross the center line and land at least 12 inches from the side and backboards. Two attempts are given to land inbounds then the opposing team can place the jack in play to start the frame.
Two Ways To Play
OPEN BOCCE Feel free to toss the jack any playable distance and direction to begin each frame. The initial player who placed the jack throws first. Play alternates until all 8 balls are thrown. Calculate frame score.
TOURNAMENT STYLE Initial player who placed the jack throws their ball first. The team placing the jack cannot roll again until the opposing team has either gotten one of its bocce balls closer to the pallino, or has thrown all of their balls. The team who bocce balls are closest to the jack are called “inside.” The opposing team is “outside.” When a team gets inside, they step aside as the outside team rolls. The outside team throws until it beats, not ties, the opposing ball. This continues until both teams have used all their bocce balls. The team who scored lowest will thrown the jack to begin the next frame.
A “VOLO SHOT” An aerial shot where the player attempts to hit other bocce balls or the jack before the thrown ball touches the ground.
A “BACI” OR “KISS” Reward 2 points if the jack and ball remain touching at the end of the frame. Often referred to as “Kiss the Jack”.
Scoring
Once all eight balls have been thrown at the jack, only one team scores after points have been calculated (1 - 4 points per frame). If a bocce ball is touching a jack, it’s often known as a “baci,” “kiss,” or “kiss the jack” and can be rewarded 2 points.
GREEN SCORES 1
Green has the closest ball to the jack, and has won this frame, receiving 1 point. The closest red ball serves as defense, scoring 0 but preventing green from scoring a second point.
GREEN SCORES 2
Green has the closest 2 balls to the jack. Green has won this frame and receives 2 points. The red ball serves as defense, scoring 0 but preventing green from scoring a third point.
RED SCORES 3
Red has the closest 3 balls to the jack. Red has won this frame and receives 3 points. The green ball serves as defense, scoring 0 but preventing red from scoring a fourth point.
Tips
Bocce Anywhere
Bocce can be enjoyed almost anywhere, not just on a regulation bocce court. We like to “Monkey Around” and play for fun, making house rules versus strict tournament rules. This is also referred to as “Free Play Rules” or “Open Bocce”.
Object of the Game
Your bocce throw can be a toss, roll, or bounce, and its encouraged to “spock” an opponent’s ball away from the jack. Make defensive moves by bumping the jack to a new position away from your opponent’s ball or play offense and surround it with your team’s balls.
BLOCKING
Blocking is the tactic of setting up a perimeter of your own color balls around the jack to prevent your opponent from gaining the inside position.
BANKING
Like pool, when playing in a court with side rails, you can bank off the sides to position your ball around an opponent’s blocks. This strategy is not available in most backyard play.
BUMPING
Manipulation of the jack with your throw is known
as bumping. One come-back strategy is to knock the jack into a group of your own color balls as one of your final throws.
RAFFA SHOT Also known as “spocking,” this shot is an attempt to hit or “spock” an opponent’s ball and move them out of the way.