
Bocce has been enjoying soaring popularity over recent years. It’s not only popular in the place that originated the game but has spread in many places across the world as well. New fans and players might be wondering how many points to win bocce ball they need to secure.
In bocce ball games, only the “in” team scores points in a frame or round. Typically, a pre-determined score will determine which team wins. This is usually a variation of 12, 15, or 21 points. In some cases, however, a match can be won by the number of games or frames won. This can be two out of three games, three out of five games, etc.
Of course, leisure and casual games can enjoy even more leniency and versatility. The number of points or games to be won can be lower or higher, depending on the players’ preferences.
Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how many points should players gain to win a bocce match. We’ll also briefly go over the basic rules and regulations of playing bocce.
What is Bocce?
Bocce is a world-famous and beloved ball game, belonging to the boules game family. The game is a close relative of other games like lawn bowling and the popular French game pétanque.
Bocce has a century-old history with its earliest documented form dating back to Ancient Egypt and later, the Roman Empire. Much of its present form can be attributed to developments when it was largely played in Italy.
It’s still a huge game in Italy and its widespread popularity spreading across North America can largely be credited to Italian immigrants who came to the United States and introduced the game.
Due to its adaptability and versatility, bocce is continuously gaining new fans and players from all around the world. The game can easily be played by anyone, regardless of gender, age, and athletic ability.
And though there are official rules for official games and competitions, players can adjust the game rules as they see fit for leisure and casual games.
What is the Goal of the Game?
Bocce is played with a set of eight bocce balls (larger, weighted balls) and a pallino or jack (a smaller target ball).
The goal of the game is to get your team’s bocce balls closer to the pallino than the opposing team’s closest ball. The team with the closer ball to the target is the only team that scores any points for that round.
How to Play Bocce Ball: Rules and Regulations
Bocce is played by two teams. Depending on the number of players, each team can have one, two, or four players. Each team gets four bocce balls.
The game starts by tossing the pallino into the court. The team that starts the game is usually determined by a coin toss. The same team throws the first bocce ball in play as well. All balls are tossed and rolled underhand.
The two teams take alternate turns to throw their ball. Players have three basic goals:
- Get their ball closer to the pallino,
- Move the pallino closer to their ball, or
- Move the opponent’s ball away from the pallino.
Bocce Ball Scoring
After all the balls have been tossed and played, the scoring begins.
Bocce ball games consist of multiple frames or rounds. In each frame, only the team who got the bocce ball closer to the pallino than the other team scores points.
The scoring team earns one point for every ball that’s closer to the pallino than the other team’s closest ball. The scoring team can earn one to four points in each frame.
Additionally, a ball that is “kissing” (touching) the pallino gets two points instead of just one.
How Many Points to Win Bocce Ball
In typical fashion and according to the United States Bocce Federation, the team that first scores 12 points wins the game.
But in some games, there are also variations of up to 15 or 21 points. In more casual and leisure games, any number of points can be used, depending on the players’ preference.
Regardless, the players should decide their set point total before the start of the game.
Also usually, the winning team should be ahead of the opposing team by at least two points.
In some cases, matches may be won by games or frames (two out of three games, three out of five games, etc.). This system is usually used in leagues or tournaments but can be used for casual games as well.
How is Bocce Won?
In the point-case system, the players will play frames until one team reaches the pre-determined score, usually a variation of 12, 15, or 21 points.
In the games-won system, the first team to win the pre-determined number of games or frames wins the match.
Conclusion
Bocce is currently enjoying widespread popularity not only in its country of origin but also in North America and the rest of the world. Any interested player might be curious about how many points they need to win a bocce game.
In a game of bocce, only one team scores points in a single frame or round. And typically, the game is won by the team who scores 12 points first. Some other variations could also determine a set point score of 15 or 21 points. In some other cases, matches can be won by games or frames (two out of three games, three out of five games, etc.).
And that has been our detailed answer to the query of how many points to win bocce ball players need to worry about. Reach out to us below if you have more queries for us!