How to Play Beach Bocce Ball

Want to know how to play Beach Bocce Ball?

It’s easy! You can get started playing in no time.

Okay, so you are wondering how to play? Piece of cake. The goal is to toss, or roll your beach bocce balls as close as possible to the small aim ball, called a “jack.” Players take turns, and whoever ends up closest to the jack when all balls are played, wins. Unlike horseshoes, where the target stake is fixed, Beach Bocce Ball’s aim ball may be hit at any time, which can completely reverse the score at the last second. And unlike the official bocce rules that call for a prepared court, with markers and sideboards, Beach Bocce Ball can be played “free-form”, on most outdoor surfaces, anytime you want.

No special skill is required. Adults of any age can play with children, and a game lasts as long as you feel like playing. The game is simple, relaxing, and loads of fun. It’s a great game to play with family and friends - and a perfect way to make new friends. For adults, it is often the perfect complement to a seaside “happy hour.”

You should read about the RULES, but they're really not required to have fun.

Beach Bocce Ball is extremely simple, just like horseshoes. There's a target, and you have to get as close to it as possible. What makes it so unpredictable and entertaining, is that you can be way ahead for most of the game, yet lose a second later, or vice versa. Because nothing is decided until the last player plays the very last ball. If he or she moves the aim ball or kicks an opponent ball out of the way, the layout of the balls (and your score) will change dramatically.

The Basic Rules

Players

The game may be played by 2, 3 or 4 players (singles) or by teams of two (doubles - 4 players). Each player selects playing balls as follows:

Two players: 4 balls each – two pairs of the same color.
Three players: 2 balls each – one pair of the same color. (One pair of balls, same color, remains in case, out of play.)
Four players: 2 balls each – one pair of the same color.
Doubles: 4 balls per team – each team member plays with one pair of the same color.

Play

To decide who throws first, any player (or one player from a team) tosses the small aim ball (jack) and then each player tosses a single Beach Bocce ball, trying to land it closest to the jack. The player with the ball nearest the jack selects a location on the beach and draws a circle in the sand approximately 5 to 8 feet across in which to stand. This is the shooting circle. If playing somewhere other than the beach that doesn’t allow for a circle to be drawn, a small place-marker can be substituted (for example a rock or stick, or similar object) or simply remember generally where the last person shot from and shoot from there.

The same player starts the game by throwing the jack. He/she then throws the first Beach Bocce ball, trying to land it as close as possible to the jack. The jack should be thrown at least three feet from the circle and a good distance is 20 to 35 feet. Please be courteous to fellow players and consider their ability to reach the jack with the playing balls. The thrower's feet must stay inside the circle and on the ground until the ball has landed.

An opposing player then steps into the circle and throws a ball, attempting to land closer to the jack or knock the other player’s lead ball away from the jack. The player or team who is not leading continues to throw until they have a lead ball or run out of balls, whichever comes first. When all balls have been thrown, that “round” is over and the score is tallied. The winner begins a new round, tossing the jack in the direction of his/her choice, from within the existing circle or (optional) by drawing a circle where the jack was positioned at the end of the last round.

* NOTE: Once a lead is established by a player, the trailing players are obliged to throw until they regain the lead, or run out of balls.

Scoring

Only one player/team scores per round. The winner scores one point for each ball closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other players. If it is difficult to visually determine whose ball rests closest to the jack the players can use the measuring string provided with the Beach Bocce Ball set. Play continues until one player/team reaches 13 points, unless a different score has been decided upon prior to the beginning of the game. 13 points is standard for a game, but any pre-determined total is acceptable.

You can also forget about all of these rules and make up your own. Have a blast!

Tips and Strategies

1) Water’s Edge
The challenge is not to over-throw and end up rolling your balls into the surf, out of play. A lob with some back spin, or a roll-to-target approach might be best in this situation.

2) Seaweed
Watch that seaweed. It can be spongy and literally bounce your balls away from the jack. If you master this lie, you can give your opponents fits.

3) Soft Sand
Soft sand poses two challenges: one, the ball can end up partially buried and difficult to see. (If completely buried, the rules permit raising it to the surface to make it visible.) And, the soft sand doesn’t provide much roll or bounce. You pretty much have to lob it right on target.