Quick Reference Guide to Bocce Ball Rules and Common Scenarios
Starting the Game
Boundaries
Pallino (LWB)
Blue Team Player
Q: What if my bocce ball bows the boundry line? A: Unless the boundry line breaks, play will continue.
Blue Team Ball
Red Team Player
Mostly outside of, but still on line
Out
In
In
Q: What if my bocce ball is on the line? A: A bocce ball that touches any part of the line is considered in play. Bocce balls that land outside the court are out of play and no longer count.
Radial distance from edge of pallino
Red Team Ball
Out
In In
In
In (3 points for Blue)
Mostly in, but on line
Bowed boundary line but within area of court
Bowed boundary line but outside area of court
Out
Q: What if the Pallino doesn’t make it past the half court line? A: The team will then turn over the throw to the opposing team to throw the Pallino past half court and inside the boundries. Half Court Line Blue Team
LWB — Good throw. Red then throws for the Inside Ball
LWB — Not a good throw
1 Out
Blue Team
3 Good throw — This is now the Inside Ball
Red Team
Red Team
2 Out
A
B
Closest Red and Blue are same distance from LWB — no points for this frame
Red and Blue are same distance from LWB, but neither is Inside Ball — 1 point for Blue
Inside Ball
No Point
1 PT
Inside Ball
No Point
Inside Ball
C 1.
Closest Red Ball 1 PT 1 PT
D
Game Start
Blue throws Pallino and Inside Ball
1 PT LWB
2.
Inside Ball
Scoring Scenarios
1.
Red Throws
Red throws all its balls, but none land inside the Inside Ball
Blue has 3 balls in scoring positions with one to throw.
2.
3. 1 PT 1 PT
Blue Throws
1 PT LWB
E
Inside Ball
1.
Blue throws its remaining balls, aiming to land inside the closest Red ball — 3 points for Blue
1 PT 1 PT 1 PT
Game Start
Blue throws Pallino and Inside Ball
Blue’s last ball hits LWB, knocking it towards Red’s balls
1 PT
3.
2.
Red Throws
Red throws new Inside Ball
LWB
1 PT
Inside Ball
3.
Blue Throws
Blue throws new Inside Ball. Back to Red...
Red becomes Inside Ball — 2 points Red
F
If Red Team uses all four balls and fails to get closer to the LWB than Blue Team’s starting “inside” ball, Blue Team will roll each of their remaining balls, trying to place them closer than Red Team’s closest ball. Any ball Blue Team throws that is closer to the LWB than Red Team’s closest ball results in an additional point for Blue Team.
Out Closest Red Ball
No Point
1 PT No Point
1 PT
Inside Ball
2 points for Blue
LWB
Out