BASICS –
Smack your croquet ball under the wickets in order and into the posts. Least amount of strokes possible.

AREA OF PLAY –
Croquet can be played anywhere – Park, Backyard, Alleyway; pretty much any open area. It is not recommended that you use this set indoors, but feel free to play wherever you like. Just stick to the “Basics” and only hit your croquet balls under the wickets and at the stakes. Do not swing the mallets at anything else or throw the balls at anything else.  Beware of others while playing.

CROQUET LAYOUT–
The standard 9-wicket croquet layout is pictured to the right.  However, you can place the 9 inner wickets in any locations you like.  Boundaries need to be established, out of bounds balls go back on the boundary.

CROQUET RULES PER THE DAY OF GAMES –
There are various ways to play Croquet and many ways to keep score. This is the Day of Games way. The rules below describe games played one team vs. another team (or 1 person vs. 1 person, up 6 people (or teams) playing at once).

a) Determine who goes first, second, third, etc.

b) Player 1places first ball in between first stake and first wicket, then begins the game.  Each player will start exactly the same way by placing the ball in between first stake and wicket and striking with mallet.

c) If the ball passes through both wickets, the player receives two bonus strokes. Generally, bonus strokes do not accumulate – only the last bonus strokes earned are allowed (the exception being the two wickets at the starting or turning stakes). Bonus strokes are awarded for going under a wicket, for striking a stake, or for hitting another ball (this is called roqueting and you get 2 extra strokes).

d) Roqueting – If a player roquets there are four options.
1) Take 2 bonus strokes from where the players ball lands.
2) Place the players ball a single mallet head’s length away from the ball hit and take 2 strokes.
3) Place ball  next to the ball hit. Then hit own ball so that it moves both balls.  Then take another shot.
4) Place own ball side by side with the struck ball. Then placing foot on own ball strike it so as to move the other ball without moving own.   Then take another shot.

e) A player can only roquet once per turn unless the player goes through a wicket or hits the turning stake.

f) If another moves another player’s ball through a wicket or causes it to hit a stake, the wicket or stake is scored, but no bonus strokes are awarded.

First team to go through all wickets and hit the final stake – wins!

8 – Bocce balls (2 different designs)
1 – Pallino (jack)
2 – Can Coolers (koozie’s)
1 – Bottle Opener / Tape Measure

BASICS –
Toss/Roll/Bounce/Heave/Fling/Throw big balls (Bocce) at the little ball (Pallino). Closer is better.

AREA OF PLAY –
Bocce can be played anywhere – Beach, Park, Backyard, Alleyway; pretty much any open area. It is not recommended that you use this set indoors, but feel free to play wherever you like. Just stick to the “Basics” and only throw Bocce Balls at the Pallino. Do not throw bocce balls at anything else.

COURT SIZE (optional) –
Most people just play Bocce in any open area.  The Pallino is tossed and then the Bocce balls follow. If you are interested in building your own official backyard Bocce course, then the dimensions are as follows:
13 foot box, then a 65 foot rectangle, then another 13 foot box.
There are boundary walls typically created around the entire court.

BOCCE BALL RULES PER THE DAY OF GAMES –
There are various ways to play Bocce and many ways to keep score. This is the Day of Games way. Bocce can be played 1vs.1, 2vs.2, 3vs.3, 4vs.4 or even 5+vs.5+ (if you have enough bocce balls).  The rules below describe games played one team vs. another team.  This can be 1vs.1, 2vs.2, or 4vs.4. If you would like to play Bocce Ball with more than 2 teams the rules are very similar but each person gets their own balls to play with rather than partnering up with a teammate.  The rest of the rules are the same with regard to scoring, order, and how to play bocce.

Playing in an open area:
1) Decide which team will toss first.
2) This team will create a line in the playing field and this will act as the foul line. Nobody is allowed to walk past this line until all the Bocce balls are thrown.  If someone crosses the foul line this will result in a negative point! (optional rule)
3) Team drawing the line will toss the Pallino into the field of play
4) This same team will act first and throw a Bocce ball at the Pallino. Teams then alternate throws.
5) Once all the Bocce balls have been thrown the scoring of this round takes place. Only one team is allowed to score in each round. A point is awarded for each ball that is closer to the Pallino than the closest ball of the opponents.
6) Optional Rule – Award 2 points to any ball that is touching the Pallino.
7) The game can be played to 11, 21, or any number you come up with. Win by 2 points.

Playing in a court with boundary walls: Same rules apply as above with these additions -
8 ) The Pallino cannot hit the back wall on its initial toss.  It is allowed to hit the back wall during game play.
9 ) Thrown Bocce balls cannot hit the back wall.  This is considered out of boundaries and the ball is dead.

Bocce Leagues for your enjoyment.

Horseshoes, Cornhole, Bocce ball, Ladder Golf, Beer Pong balls