TallynightHow to keep score in bocce
In bocce, only one side scores in each frame. Once every ball has been rolled, the side with the ball closest to the pallino scores 1 point for each of its balls that's closer than the other side's best. Most games go to 12, and many US leagues play to 16.
- Players
- 1 to 4 a side
- Who wins
- First to 12, or 16 in many leagues
- Each frame
- 4 balls a side, and only one side scores
- Most in a frame
- 4 points with a set of 8 balls
How a frame is scored
Wait until both sides have rolled all their balls, then look at the balls nearest the pallino, the small target ball.
| When the frame ends | Points |
|---|---|
| Your closest ball beats the other side's best | 1 to you |
| Your two closest balls beat the other side's best | 2 to you |
| Three of your balls beat the other side's best | 3 to you |
| All four of your balls beat the other side's best | 4 to you |
| The closest balls from each side are level | Nobody scores |
The side that isn't closest scores nothing that frame, however close its other balls are.
Who rolls when
Toss a coin. The winner throws the pallino and rolls the first ball. Then the other side rolls until one of its balls is closer, or until it runs out. From then on, the side that isn't closest always rolls next.
Once one side has rolled all its balls, the other side rolls the rest. Those balls can still add points.
In singles, each player rolls four balls. In doubles, each player rolls two. The side that scored most recently throws the pallino to start the next frame, from the end where the balls finished.
Ties and measuring
When the closest balls from each side are the same distance from the pallino, the side that rolled last rolls again until the tie is broken. If every ball has been rolled and it's still level, nobody scores that frame.
Measure with a tape or a string when it's close. Under the United States Bocce Federation's rules, a player who moves a ball while measuring gives the point to the other side.
How long a game lasts
The United States Bocce Federation plays games to 12, with finals to 15. Raffa, the international form of the game, also plays to 12, with finals to 15.
Special Olympics and many school and park leagues in the US play to 16, often with a time limit. Backyard games are often shorter, anywhere from 7 to 13 points, so agree on the number before the first pallino.
A scoring example
A doubles game to 12. The second column lists whose balls are nearest the pallino, closest first, down to the other side's best.
| Frame | Nearest balls | Frame goes to | Score, A to B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A, A, B | Team A, 2 | 2 to 0 |
| 2 | B, A | Team B, 1 | 2 to 1 |
| 3 | A, B | Team A, 1 | 3 to 1 |
| 4 | B, B, B, A | Team B, 3 | 3 to 4 |
| 5 | A and B level, every ball rolled | Nobody | 3 to 4 |
| 6 | A, A, A, A | Team A, 4 | 7 to 4 |
| 7 | B, A | Team B, 1 | 7 to 5 |
| 8 | A, A, B | Team A, 2 | 9 to 5 |
| 9 | B, B, A | Team B, 2 | 9 to 7 |
| 10 | A, A, A, B | Team A, 3 | 12 to 7 |
| Final | Team A wins | 12 to 7 |
In frame 6, all four of Team A's balls were closer than Team B's best, the most a frame can score. In frame 5, the two closest balls were level after every ball had been rolled, so nobody scored.
Keep score for bocce in Tallynight
Bocce isn't one of Tallynight's built-in games yet, but it takes a minute to set up. Choose Something else, then Running score, "Add points as they happen", with Highest winning, and pick 1 · 2 · 5 points per tap. Add each team as a player.
Tap the star to add it to your favourites, then Start game. After each frame, tap + on the side that scored. Leave Play to a target off, and tap End game when a side reaches 12, or the number your league plays to.
- A big tile for each team, easy to read across the court
- Points per tap of 1, 2 or 5
- Undo, and a scoring log to fix any frame
- A winner card for the family chat at the end
A Bocce score sheet to print
Playing on paper tonight? Print a free Bocce score sheet, or save it as a PDF.
Questions
How do you score bocce?
Once every ball has been rolled, the side with the ball closest to the pallino scores 1 point for each of its balls that's closer than the other side's best. The other side scores nothing that frame.
How many points do you play to in bocce?
12 under United States Bocce Federation rules and in international raffa, with finals to 15. Special Olympics and many US recreation leagues play to 16.
What happens if there's a tie in bocce?
If the closest balls from each side are level, the side that rolled last rolls again. If every ball has been rolled and it's still level, nobody scores that frame.
Who rolls next in bocce?
The side that isn't closest to the pallino. It keeps rolling until it gets a ball closest, or runs out of balls.
How many points can you score in one frame of bocce?
Up to 4 with a set of eight balls, when all four of your balls are closer than the other side's best.
Who throws the pallino in bocce?
The winner of the coin toss in the first frame. After that, the side that scored most recently.