How to play bocce

The objective of bocce is to score points by having your balls closest to the target ball, known as the pallino.

Equipment

1 pallino (small target ball)
8 bocce balls (bowling balls; 4 per team, different colours/patterns)
Tape measure (optional)

Setup

Can be played one-on-one or in teams of two, three, or four.

Rules

A coin toss or another method determines which team starts. The starting team throws the pallino into the playing area.
The team that threw the pallino also throws the first bocce ball, aiming to get it as close to the pallino as possible.
The opposing team then throws their bocce ball, attempting to get closer to the pallino or knock the opponent’s ball away.
Teams alternate throwing their balls until all bocce balls are thrown. If one team’s ball is closer, the other team continues to throw until they get a ball closer or run out of balls.
You can choose to either play principally at one end of the court, or alternate between ends after scoring.
When throwing any ball, it must travel past the centre of the court but it must not hit the end.

Scoring

After all balls have been thrown, the round is scored. Only one team can score per round.
The closest ball scores one point to its team. The team with the ball closest to the pallino scores then adds a point on for each of their balls that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team.
If the closest ball from each team is each an equal distance from the pallino, no points are scored.

Continuing the game

The team that scored in the previous round throws the pallino to start the next round.
Play continues until a team reaches a predetermined number of points - 12 on the scoreboard at Cedars Park.

Violations

If a ball hits the end of the court, that team does not throw any more until after that.

Useful tips

Aim to position your balls close to the pallino while also blocking your opponent’s potential paths.
When the pallino is at the edge of the court, it is good practice to bowl from the opposite side to make it fair for all players.
Use an underarm throw for better control. Employ such bowling techniques as punto/raffa/volo. See below to understand these shots.

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Choosing a bocce set

Sports-style set

A bocce set contains 8 bocce balls and 1 pallino. Better quality sets will also include a measuring tool.

There are various sets available. Some ‘sport’ sets have a more colourful look; French-inspired sets are silver; while the traditional Italian balls are larger and rough on the outside. Additionally, you can get hand-crafted wooden sets and bespoke engraved balls. Ultimately, it is down to personal preference and how you will use the balls.

Amateur set

Amateur plastic sets are also available, weighted with water rather than solid material to allow for a lightweight feel. These sets are less precise to throw as a result of their reduced weight, however they are better suited to young children or anyone who prefers balls that are lighter to pick up. Nonetheless, they still contain the professional number of bocce balls and can provide a good experience to a beginner. As at June 2024, these sets are available for £5 at Poundland.

Bocce vs Boules

It is important to make a distinction between Bocce and Boules (aka Petanque). Bocce is the Italian game with eight bowling balls, whereas Boules is the French game with six bowling balls. Therefore, a boules set is not suitable to use for bocce.

However, the bocce court at Cedars Park is suitable for a variety of bowling games, including boules. Please refer to other guides if you are looking to buy a French BOULES set.

How to Play Bocce