Bocce is a relaxing and very strategic game practiced since ancient times. Although the origin of bowls probably dates back to ancient Egypt, the game began to take hold among the Romans, under the Emperor Augustus. It was Italian immigrants who made it popular in the United States and around the world in the early twentieth century. Today bowls represent a pleasant but very competitive way to spend a few hours outdoors in the company of friends.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparations
Step 1. Get your boules set
The standard sets contain eight colored spheres - 4 of one color and four of another - and a smaller sphere called a “dot”.
- The size of the bowls is often associated with the skill level of the players: the smaller ones tend to be used by beginners or children, the larger ones by the more experienced. The standard balls have a fixed diameter of 107 mm and a weight of 920 g.
- A standard bowl set can be purchased for a few euros, while a professional set can cost more than 100 euros.
Step 2. Make teams with your friends
A game of bowls can be played by two single players, one against the other, or by two teams of two, three or four players. Playing with a set of 8 balls, making teams of five is not advisable, as not everyone would have the opportunity to make their own throw.
Step 3. Choose the playing field
If you don't have a bowling green, you can always play "free" (that is, outdoors and on uneven ground), although using a court is still advisable. A boules court should measure a maximum of 4m in width and 27.5m in length (although any area of similar size is fine for playing).
- The regulation fields are surrounded on the sides by a high barrier, in most cases, 20 cm maximum.
- Draw a line beyond which players cannot step when throwing.
- Some players prefer to stick a peg in the center of the field to mark the point beyond which the jack must be thrown at the start of the game. This is however one of the many variations of the game and not the norm.
Part 2 of 3: Play
Step 1. Draw which of the teams will throw the jack
It is not so important who goes first, as the teams will take turns throwing the jack at the start of each heat.
Step 2. Launch the cue ball
The team that has been drawn now has two possibilities to throw the jack into a certain area of the pitch (5m long and ending 2.5m before the end of the playing area). If the first team fails to place the cue ball in this area, the other team gains the opportunity to throw it.
- As mentioned above, another system of rules provides that the jack must overtake a peg placed in the center of the field.
- If you are playing “free”, throw the snitch wherever you want, making sure it doesn't stay too close to the throwing line so as not to make the game too easy.
Step 3. After throwing the cue ball, we start throwing the balls
The team that threw the jack also throws the first ball. The aim is to get the boules as close to the jack as possible. Players must not cross the shooting line, which is drawn approximately 25 m from the end of the playing field.
There are several ways to throw the ball. Some prefer to throw the sphere by holding it from below and making it make a parabola in mid-air or by throwing it low at ground level. Others, on the other hand, prefer to throw by holding their hand over the ball and making it make a parable very similar to that obtained with the other type of throw
Step 4. Now it's the second team's turn
One of the second team players now has the opportunity to throw his ball to get as close as possible to the jack.
Step 5. Determine which team is now eligible to throw all of their boules
The team whose ball is furthest from the jack must now throw the remaining balls in succession, trying to get them as close as possible to the jack.
- The cue ball can be hit. It always remains the focus of the game and moving it simply changes the point where you have to aim.
- If the ball remains in contact with the jack, a "bottle" is created (which is scored two points if the position of the balls does not change during the game).
Step 6. Now it's the team's turn that still has its three boules to throw
At the end of the round, all eight balls should have been thrown.
Part 3 of 3: Scoring and Continuing the Game
Step 1. Determine which ball is closest to the jack
At the end of the throws, the team that comes closest to the jack is the only one that gets points (one or more, depending on the position of its other balls).
Step 2. A point is awarded for the ball closest to the jack
If the second closest ball is always from the same team, another point is awarded (the same goes for the third and fourth balls); otherwise, the count stops.
If two bowls from different teams are at the same distance from the jack, no points are awarded and the game continues with the next round
Step 3. Move to the other side of the field and start another run
At the end of each round the points are noted and the players move to the other side of the playing field.
