OBJECT
The object of the game of bocce is for one team or player to get as many of their balls closer to the pallino than the opposing team's/players closest ball.
PLAY
The toss of a coin determines which team will start. The starting team chooses which color (or pattern) ball they will play with. The first team member throws the pallino and then rolls his/her first ball as close to the pallina as possible. It is now up to the opposing team to roll a ball closer to the pallina than the starting team.
If the opposing team uses all four balls and fails to get closer to pallina than the starting ball, the starting team rolls each of their remaining balls, trying to place them closer than the opponent's closest ball.
However, if the opposing team succeeds in placing one of their balls closer to the pallino, the starting team must then roll again to attempt to get closer or "better the point". Each team continues to roll until it beats the point of the opposite team.
While the object is to get close to the pallino, it is permissible for a player to roll his/her ball as to knock an opponent's ball away from the pallino. Likewise, a player may knock or move the pallino toward his/her own team's balls. The pallino is playable anywhere on the playing surface.
SCORING
When all balls have been played, this concludes the frame and ONE team is awarded one point for each of its balls which is closer to the pallina the the closest opposing team's ball. Thus, a team may score up to four points per frame. If the closest ball of each team is equal in distance from the pallino, NO points are awarded.
The team that scores in a frame starts the next frame by throwing out the pallino and playing their first ball.
Play continues until a team wins by reaching a score of sixteen points.
IMPORTANT PAVLISCAK INVITATIONAL VARIENTS
Game play - team play for this tournament is irrelevant as all players will be playing for "wins" and Points/frame ratio. Each player will play 2 balls of his or her color in a match with 3 other entrants, with play continuing with as many frames necessary until one entrant acheives a winning score of 10. Each entrant must play in at least 3 games in which official score cards are kept.
The player with the best points/frame ratio, and the most wins will recieve the Grand Champion Award. The Grand Champion candidate must have scored at least one win to be eligable. There will be several formmidable Opponent awards for those next in score.
Bowling order - determined by rock,paper, scissors among the 4 entrants of a match.
Close calls - The player keeping the score will have a measuring device to be used by players not in contest to decide which player is awarded the point.
Spocking - A player recievs a "mark" for each spock which benfits his or her current ball position, only one "Spock" per frame is allowed to be marked but endless Spocking is permitted. The entrant with the highest Spocks/frame ratio will recieve the spockmaster award.