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Rollin', rollin', rollin', keep those Bocces rollin', almost like you're bowlin'...OUTSIDE!
My apologies to Rawhide, but nothing is more fun than playing Bocce ball outdoors on a lovely day, especially if you know the rules! Below are listed the basic rules of the spherical science known as Bocce.

- Divide the balls up evenly amongst the players

- The smaller ball, called the "pallino" rotates players after each "frame" or round.

- Play starts by having the person with the pallino throw it out however near or far they choose. This now becomes the "target" at which all the heavy bocce balls are aimed.

- Players take turns, starting with the pallino thrower, bowling their bocce balls at the coveted pallino

- After all balls have been thrown, the player closest to the pallino gets one point.

- If that same player has more than one ball closer to the pallino than any other opponent, he/she receives one point for each ball that is "inside", or closer to the pallino, all the other opponent balls. So, there will be a minimum of 1 point scored per frame, but more than one can be scored if one has that magical pallino magnetism in his/her throwing ability.

- After the points are totaled for a round, the pallino is given to the next player and a new round begins.

- A typical game usually goes to 13 points, although another score can be agreed upon based on time constraints etc.

- Bocce played on hills and alternative surfaces such as artificial turf, dirt, grass and the like can add to the degree of difficulty and make it quite fun for all.

Now that you know the rules, keep those Bocces rollin' and most importantly, enjoy.

Learn more about this author, Tim Driver.
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