From the ...
Master Bocce Ball
Retro bocce set, $82 at Restoration Hardware
First off, don't call it bocce ball. It's just bocce. But other than that, it's about as laid-back and carefree as a competitive sport can get. And it's the perfect game for summertime—play it as the sun starts setting and the drinks start coming out. It's a social game, so the drinking and gregarious smack talk seem to go hand in hand, paying homage to the game's Italian heritage.
By the Numbers
8
Large balls
(bocce)
1
Smaller target ball (pallino)
2
Teams
/players
12
Points
per game
How to Play
A coin toss determines which team starts. A player then tosses out the pallino from one end of the court to the other. That same player then attempts to roll one of the larger balls as close to the pallino as he can.
A player from the other team then tries to roll his ball closer than the first. If he doesn't, someone on his team tries until they succeed or use all four balls. Then the other team bowls its remaining balls.
The team with the closest ball to the pallino scores one point for each of their balls that's closer than the opposing team. (see example below)
The non-scoring team starts the next frame. Play to 12 points.
Scoring
The red team would score two points.
