Basic Rules of Bocce

The object of the game is to roll your bocce balls closer to the pallino (aka jack or pill) ball than your opponent. Ball cannot be thrown.

Players

Two player match = four balls per player

Four player match = two balls per player

Eight player match = one ball per player

Playing Bocce

The game consists of eight frames. A frame starts with the rolling of the pallino by a team toward the opposite end of the playing court. The frame is complete after the all 8 balls have been rolled and points awarded.

The pallino must be rolled past the center line and not further than the four foot line. If the pallino lands out of the designated area, the opposing team will roll the pallino into the playing area.

Once the pallino is in position, the first team rolls their bocce ball. Taking turns, each team rolls their balls toward the pallino to:

(A) get their ball closest to the pallino,

(B) to move the pallino closer to their ball, or

(C) move the opponentʼs ball. The winning team begins the next frame.

Frames are played alternately from one end of the court to the other.

Scoring

In each frame, only one team scores. One point is given for each bocce ball that is closer to the pallino than the opposing teamʼs bocce balls. The pallino distance marker can be used to determine which balls are closer.