How Many Balls in Bocce? (Plus Basic Rules to Follow)

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If you are new to playing bocce, you likely find the rules and scoring confusing. “How many balls in bocce can you throw?” is probably one of your questions. To guide you, we will answer this query and other concerns you may have below.

A bocce ball game has a total of nine balls: eight weighted balls and one pallino or jack. The weighted and colored balls are equally divided among two to four teams. Each group aims to throw their bocce balls as close as possible to the smaller pallino to earn a point.

Knowing the number of balls in a bocce game is the first step toward understanding bocce gameplay. This article will cover other aspects of bocce, including the game objective, rules, and scoring.

What is Bocce Ball?

Bocce ball is a popular backyard game with origins in Italy. It can be played by children and adults of varying skill levels.

Bocce is a relatively simple game. All you need to play bocce ball is a set of large balls and a small target ball known as the pallino or jack.

Bocce also allows you to play anywhere. The court surface can be made with various materials, such as grass, sand, clay, concrete, and oyster shells. The only requirement is that it must be flat or level and large enough to facilitate games.

How Many Balls in Bocce?

How Many Balls in Bocce

There are a total of nine balls to play bocce ball. These include eight large, weighted balls and a small one called the pallino.

The weighted balls are known as bocce balls. They have a diameter between 74mm and 107mm and a standard weight of 920 grams. Smaller ball sizes suit beginners and children, while large ones are designed for competitive play. Bocce balls also come in different colors or patterns to set teams apart. Plus, they are available in various materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, and composite resin. 

Meanwhile, the pallino or jack is the target ball in bocce. It usually measures 40mm in diameter and weighs around 60 grams. A pallino ball has a standard white color. This shade stands out because it provides high contrast against most playing surfaces. However, variations in pallino colors (such as yellow or orange) are available in casual gameplay.

What Is the Game Objective in Bocce Ball?

A bocce ball match involves playing with eight balls and a single target known as the pallino or jack.

The game objective is to throw or toss the colorful balls as close as possible to the target ball. Each team takes alternate turns in rolling their balls toward the pallino. The group with the closest bocce ball to the target earns a point. And the first team to reach a pre-determined score wins the bocce game.

How to Play Bocce Ball? Different Gameplay Rules to Know

Playing bocce ball is relatively straightforward. But if you are a beginner, you may find the rules overwhelming or difficult to follow. 

To guide you, we divided the gameplay rules into two: 

Free Play Rules

Free play refers to any casual bocce game you can enjoy in your backyard or any flat surface. There is no need to set up a court with designated markers and borders. 

The rules in free play bocce are simpler and more flexible since you do not have a court to play on.

First, determine how many players are on each team. Traditionally, bocce ball matches have two teams of four players. Each have four bocce balls. However, four two-player teams can also compete with one another. These groups will toss two balls each.

After deciding on the teams, you can flip a coin to pick which group throws the pallino and bocce ball first. 

The first team tosses the pallino or white ball toward the playing area. Then, the same player from that group rolls their first bocce ball. Again, the objective is to get as near as possible to the pallino.

Participants from each team take alternate turns tossing the balls toward the target. They must use an underhand throw.

Once every bocce ball is in play, the frame or round is completed, and scoring begins.

The first team to reach a pre-determined number of points wins the game. You can set the score to 11, 12, or any number you want.

Court Game Rules

The rules of playing bocce ball in a court are similar to casual play. However, it has minor yet important variations. This time, you need to consider the lines or markers and the perimeter of the bocce court. You must also be mindful of pallino throwing rules and other strategies.

But as always, the first agenda is to divide players into teams. The number of players in each group directly influences the number of balls you get. Two teams with four players have four bocce balls in play. Meanwhile, four two-player groups must toss two balls each. 

Once team selection is complete, a coin toss determines which group tosses the pallino and first bocce ball.

The starting player or team stands behind the pointing foul line. They will use an underhand throw to put the pallino into play. They must aim for the center line without hitting the backboard or the farthest wall of the court. If the initial player fails to do this, the opposing team gets to throw the target ball.

After successfully tossing the pallino, the starting team rolls the first bocce ball. They will attempt to get closer to the pallino than the other team’s bocce balls.

The next group to play is any team without their bocce balls near the pallino. If that player ties the other team’s balls, they must throw it again.

Individuals can use different strategies to get closer to the pallino. They can bounce off the ball against the sideboards to avoid opponent’s balls blocking their way. They can also hit the opposing team’s bocce balls to move them out of the way. However, a player must inform the opponent before performing the move. If they fail to strike the opposing ball, their own ball is considered “dead” and removed from play. A dead ball does not earn one point.

The round or frame continues until the two teams throw all eight bocce balls into the court. Then, scoring starts.

The bocce game only ends when a team reaches a pre-determined score or completes a specified number of rounds. 

How to Score in Bocce Ball?

The scoring begins after all eight bocce balls have been thrown.

The team with their bocce ball closest to the pallino or target scores points. They get one point for each ball they managed to toss nearer to the pallino than the other team’s closest ball. They can even earn two points if they touch the pallino a the end of the frame. This move is known as “baci” or kiss. 

A designated player or referee usually awards points to the group. They usually use a measuring tool to determine which ball is closest to the jack ball. The tool can be as simple as a measuring tape or a special instrument called a caliper.

After tallying the points, the next round begins. The team that scored points in the previous frame throws the pallino and bocce ball first.

The game continues until one group reaches the target score or completes a fixed number of rounds. The team with the highest score wins the bocce match.

How to Take Care of Bocce Balls?

Bocce balls will wear over time, especially when used excessively on hard surfaces. Paint will chip off, colors will fade, and scuff marks will appear. These are normal superficial flaws that will not impact gameplay.

But if you want to retain their aesthetic look for as long as possible, regularly clean them after every game. Wipe off any dirt or debris from the bocce balls using a clean cloth. You must also store them properly when not in use. Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures and prolonged sun exposure. Finally, keep them in their original bocce bag for storage or when traveling.

Conclusion

Bocce is a popular backyard game that players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. It involves throwing eight weighted balls toward a small target ball called the pallino. Each group gets to throw one to four balls, depending on the team composition. The first team to reach a specified number of points or rounds wins the game. Learn more about bocce ball rules and the bocce strategy.

Do you have other questions about bocce balls? Visit our website and send your message via our contact page!

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