Bocce scoreboard and score keeper
With this bocce scoreboard you need neither a peg board nor chalk: after each frame, tap which team scores and how many balls count. The score stands large on the screen, the board announces who reaches the target first and it remembers every frame. It also keeps score for boules and lawn-side games counted the same way.
How it is calculated
In bocce only one team scores per frame: one point for each of its balls that lies closer to the pallino than the opponent’s closest ball. The scoreboard adds the frames and calls the winner at the target you set.
How to keep score with the bocce scoreboard
- Name the two teams – or keep “Red” and “Green”.
- Set “Game to” to your target, for example 12.
- After each frame, tap the team that scores and the number of points (1 to 4), then Enter frame.
- The board shows the running score, lists every frame and announces the winner.
Example: Red scores 2, Green scores 1, Red scores 4 and then 3. The score is 9 to 1; in a game to 12 Red needs 3 more points.
Bocce scoring at a glance
| Question | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who plays? | two players, or two teams of two, three or four |
| How many balls? | four per side in each frame |
| What is the target? | the small ball, called pallino, boccino or jack |
| Who scores in a frame? | only the team with the ball closest to the pallino |
| How many points? | one for each ball closer than the opponent’s closest ball – 1 to 4 |
| When is the game over? | at the agreed target, typically between 7 and 13 points |
Which target should we play to?
The length of a game varies by region and by league. The board is preset to 12 and takes any target from 1 to 99. Short games to 7 keep a party tournament moving; longer games suit league nights.
A frame without points
If the two closest balls of the teams are exactly the same distance from the pallino and you agree that nobody scores, choose “no points”. The frame still appears in the list, so the count of frames stays right.
Measuring close calls
Most arguments are about which ball is closer. Measure from the edge of the pallino to the edge of each ball with a tape or a piece of string before any ball is moved, and enter the frame only when both captains agree.
Full screen, sharing and printing
In full screen the score can be read from a few metres away when the phone leans against the court board. The score is stored in the browser, so a locked phone loses nothing. “Share” sends the result as a link; “Print the table” gives you the frame list on paper. Drawing the first-round pairings? Use the random matchup generator; for other lawn games there are the cornhole scoreboard and the mini golf scorecard.
Frequently asked questions
How do you keep score in bocce?
After all balls are thrown, the team with the ball closest to the pallino scores one point for each of its balls that is closer than the other team’s closest ball. Add the frames until a team reaches the target.
How many points can you score in one frame?
Between 1 and 4, because each side throws four balls per frame.
How many points do you need to win at bocce?
That depends on where you play: games are typically played to between 7 and 13 points. Set your target in “Game to”.
Can both teams score in the same frame?
No. Only the team with the closest ball scores in a frame.
What if the closest balls are tied?
House rules differ. If you agree that nobody scores, enter the frame with “no points” and play it again.
Can I use the scoreboard for boules or pétanque?
Yes for the counting: one team scores per end. Pétanque teams throw six boules, so more than 4 points per end are possible there – enter such an end in two steps or correct the line in the list.
How do I undo a wrong entry?
“Delete last frame” removes the latest line. Older frames can be edited directly in the list of frames.
Does it work without an internet connection on the court?
Once the page is loaded, counting works in the browser and the score is stored on the device.
Sources and legal basis
As of: · Editorial policy
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