Bocce Ball Rules: How to Play, Score, and Win

Set up the court and teams

Before the first throw, you need a flat surface and the right equipment. Bocce ball rules require a rectangular court, typically 91 feet long and 13 feet wide for professional play, though backyard courts can be smaller. The surface should be smooth—crushed stone, clay, or grass works best to ensure the balls roll true. Mark the boundaries with white lines or tape so players can clearly see the court edges and the foul line at each end.

You will need two sets of balls: one set of eight large bocce balls and one smaller target ball called the pallina (or pallino). Each team uses four balls, usually in contrasting colors like red and blue. The pallina is thrown first to start each round, and teams take turns rolling their bocce balls toward it. The goal is to get your balls closer to the pallina than your opponent’s.

Teams can consist of one, two, or four players. In singles play, each person throws one ball per round. In doubles or foursomes, teammates alternate throws. The team that scores in the previous round throws the pallina first. If no one scored, the other team starts. This rotation keeps the game fair and dynamic.

Start the game with the pallino

Every round of bocce begins with the pallino, the small white target ball. Getting this initial throw right sets the geometry for the entire frame. It determines where the first bocce balls will be thrown and establishes which team has the advantage of throwing first.

1. Choose the starting team

Decide which team starts the frame by flipping a coin or playing a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The winner gets to choose whether they want to throw the pallino first or pick their side of the court. This choice is strategic; teams often prefer to throw the pallino first to control the initial positioning.

2. Stand behind the foul line

The player designated to throw the pallino must stand behind the pointing foul line at one end of the court. This line marks the boundary for all throws except when a ball has been hit out of play. Feet must remain behind this line until the pallino is released.

3. Throw the pallino

The player gently tosses the pallino toward the opposite end of the court. The goal is to land the pallino between the center line and the far boundary line. The throw should be soft enough to avoid bouncing out of bounds but firm enough to reach the target zone. If the pallino lands out of bounds or crosses the center line improperly, it is a foul, and the opposing team gets to throw it again.

4. Throw the first bocce ball

Once the pallino is in play, the same player who threw it must throw the first bocce ball. This rule ensures that the team starting the frame has a chance to immediately influence the game by placing their ball near the target. After this first throw, turns alternate between teams.

1

Flip for first throw

Decide who starts by flipping a coin. The winner chooses whether to throw the pallino or pick a court side.

2

Position behind the foul line

Stand behind the pointing foul line. Keep your feet behind the line until the ball is released.

3

Toss the pallino

Gently throw the small white pallino toward the far end. It must land between the center and the boundary line.

4

Throw the first bocce ball

The same player who threw the pallino throws the first bocce ball. Turns then alternate between teams.

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Throw bocce balls to score points

Playing bocce is a game of geometry and touch. The objective is simple: get your team’s balls as close to the small target ball, called the pallino or jack, as possible. You don’t need to hit the pallino directly to score; in fact, knocking it out of play is often a mistake. Instead, you use your throws to position your balls strategically, blocking opponents or nudging them into better spots.

The game alternates between two primary techniques: the raffa (throw) and the ponte (placement). Knowing when to throw hard and when to set up a delicate shot is what separates beginners from skilled players.

1

Start with the Raffa (Throw)

The raffa is a direct, underhand throw aimed at a specific target. Use this when you need to hit an opponent’s ball out of the way, knock the pallino closer to your side, or land a ball in a specific zone. The goal is speed and accuracy. You release the ball with enough force to travel the distance without bouncing excessively, aiming to land it precisely where you intend. This is your offensive move.

2

Set up with the Ponte (Placement)

The ponte is a soft, rolling toss used for positioning. You drop the ball from waist height and let it roll gently toward the pallino. This technique is crucial for the second or third ball of a team’s turn. Instead of trying to knock things around, you use the ponte to block an opponent’s line of sight or to place a ball just inches from the pallino. It requires a light touch and a smooth release.

3

Score only at the end of the round

Points are not awarded after every throw. They are tallied only after all twelve balls (six per team) have been played. The team with the ball closest to the pallino scores one point for each of their balls that is closer than the opponent’s closest ball. For example, if your closest ball is at 2 inches and the opponent’s is at 5 inches, you score one point. If your second ball is at 4 inches, you score another. The opponent scores zero. The first team to reach 12 points wins.

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This sequence—throw to disrupt, place to secure, and tally at the end—creates the rhythmic tension of the game. Mastering the balance between aggression and finesse is the key to winning.

Calculate points after each round

Scoring in bocce is straightforward but specific. Only the team with a ball closest to the pallino (the small target ball) earns points. The opposing team scores zero for that round. This "winner-takes-all" structure keeps every throw relevant, even if your team isn't currently in the lead.

To calculate the score for a completed round, count every one of your balls that is closer to the pallino than the opponent's nearest ball. Each of these balls counts as one point. If your closest ball is 10 feet away and the opponent's closest is 12 feet away, you count all your balls within that 10-foot radius. If your closest ball is 5 feet away and the opponent's closest is 2 feet away, you score zero.

A round ends when all eight bocce balls (four per team) have been thrown. The team that scored in the previous round throws the pallino to start the next one. Play continues until a team reaches 12 points. In many leagues, you must win by two points, meaning a score of 12-12 requires play to continue until one team pulls ahead.

Scoring Quick Reference

Use this checklist to verify your score after each round.

Scoring Scenarios

The following table illustrates common scoring outcomes to help you quickly determine the winner of a round.

Avoid common bocce ball fouls

Disqualification often comes from small mistakes rather than poor throws. Understanding the foul line and movement limits keeps your balls in play.

Toe over the line

Every throw, including the initial pallino, must happen from behind the pointing foul line. If your toe crosses the line before release, you commit a foul.

The first offense results in a warning. A second foul nullifies the pallino throw or removes your bocce ball from play entirely. Keep your feet behind the tape.

Moving the pallino too far

When lagging a ball toward the target, you can displace other balls. However, the pallino itself has a strict movement limit.

The thrown ball may not move the pallino more than 70 cm. Some Italian leagues enforce a stricter 50 cm rule.

If you push the pallino beyond this distance, the ball is considered out of play. Aim to land close without disturbing the target.

Throwing out of turn

Only the player whose team is closest to the pallino may throw the next bocce ball. Throwing out of turn is a foul that removes the ball from the court.

Always check the distance to the pallino before releasing. If you are not closest, let your partner throw.

Frequently asked questions about bocce