bocce guide · bocce rules · bocce scoring · bocce tournament · how to play bocce ·Aug 07, 2026

Bocce Rules and Scoring: The Complete Guide

The Official Rules of Bocce Ball

Bocce is a game of precision, strategy, and just a little bit of luck. Whether you're playing a casual backyard game or competing in a tournament, understanding the rules and scoring system is essential. Here's everything you need to know.

Equipment

8 bocce balls: 4 per team, in two distinct colors or patterns
1 pallina: The small target ball (also called the jack or boccino)
Playing surface: A bocce court (typically 60–90 feet long), or any flat outdoor surface

Need a set? Browse our bocce ball sets or explore premium Perfetta bocce balls for competitive play.

Teams and Players

2 players (singles): Each player uses 4 balls.
4 players (doubles): Each player uses 2 balls.
6–8 players (triples/quads): Balls are divided evenly among team members.

Teams stand at opposite ends of the court. All players on the same team throw from the same end during a frame.

Starting the Game

A coin toss determines which team goes first.
A player from the starting team stands behind the foul line and throws the pallina to the opposite end of the court. The pallina must travel at least halfway down the court and stay in bounds.
The same player then throws their first bocce ball, trying to land it as close to the pallina as possible.
The opposing team then throws until they either get closer to the pallina or run out of balls.

Turn Order During a Frame

This is the most important rule to understand: the team that is NOT closest to the pallina always throws next.

If Team A's ball is closest, Team B throws until one of their balls gets closer — or they run out of balls.
Once Team B gets closer, Team A throws again.
This continues until all 8 balls have been thrown.

Throwing Rules

Players must release the ball before crossing the foul line.
The ball must be thrown underhand.
Players may aim to land near the pallina (punto), knock an opponent's ball away (raffa), or use a high-arc throw to land precisely (volo).
If the pallina is knocked out of bounds, the frame is void and replayed.

Scoring

Scoring happens at the end of each frame, after all 8 balls have been thrown:

Only one team scores per frame — the team with the ball closest to the pallina.
That team earns one point for each of their balls that is closer to the pallina than the opponent's nearest ball.
If the closest balls from each team are equidistant, no points are awarded (a tie/dead ball).

Scoring Example

Team A has balls at 6 inches, 14 inches, and 22 inches from the pallina. Team B's closest ball is at 10 inches. Team A scores 1 point (only the 6-inch ball is closer than Team B's nearest ball at 10 inches).

Winning the Game

The first team to reach 12 points wins the game. Some casual games are played to 9 or 15 points — agree on the target before you start.

Common Fouls and Violations

Stepping on or over the foul line before releasing the ball
Throwing out of turn
Moving the pallina intentionally (unless it's a legal shot)
Interfering with balls in play

In casual play, fouls typically result in the offending ball being removed from play. In tournament play, stricter penalties may apply.

Tournament Rules (USBF)

The United States Bocce Federation (USBF) governs competitive bocce in the US. Key differences from casual play include:

Regulation court size: 76.2 feet x 10 feet
Ball size: 107 mm, USBF-certified
Stricter foul line enforcement
Official referees for disputed measurements

For tournament-level play, check out our Perfetta bocce balls — trusted by competitive players worldwide.

Ready to Play?

Now you know the rules — time to get on the court! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, we have the right set for you. Browse our full bocce collection, or if you love playing after dark, check out our lighted bocce sets.

Want to learn more? Read our guides on how to play bocce ball and how to choose a bocce set.