DDBI

Tournament Rules and Strategery

DDBI play is a variation on organized bocce referred to as Extreme Bocce. Where organized bocce is played in clean white garments on a perfectly level court ranging from 60’x10’ to 95’x15’ in size, Extreme Bocce is generally played in t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops* on any suitable surface (and frequently unsuitable ones). Other than that, scoring and game play are essentially the same.

* T-shirt and flip-flops are optional, but please keep your shorts on during tournament play.

Check out the 2005 Bracket

1. Terminology

The following terms are used throughout the rules and during gameplay.

Pallino – the small, white target ball

Bocce – the larger, colored balls used in play (plural – bocci)

Baci – a bocce touching the pallino (lit. “kissing”)

Rochambeau – Formal name for the game of Paper, Rock and Scissors

Punto – a bocce thrown with the intent of scoring a point

Raffa – a bocce thrown with the intent of striking an opponent’s bocce

Volo – a bocce thrown in the air with the intent of striking an opponent’s bocce

Impartial Third Party – someone either eliminated from tournament play, not participating in the tournament, or too drunk to care

Short Game – a game where the pallino comes to rest at such a distance as to make raffa and volo throws relatively easy

Long Game – a game where the pallino comes to rest at such a distance as to make airborne throws exceptionally difficult

Bad Bounce – when a thrown bocce takes an unfortunate or otherwise unhelpful bounce

Kissing – see baci

Droppin' the Bomb – see volo

2. Beginning the Game

The opening bowler shall be decided by coin toss, Rochambeau or other mutually-agreed upon system. The winning bowler (Bowler 1) may select which color bocci they wish to use. Bowler 1 throws the pallino to open play.

2.1. Comments

2.1.1. Natural terrain and man-made obstacles (lawn chairs, tents, etc) may be used to increase the difficulty of play. Play commences regardless of the lie of the pallino or playing surface condition, except as noted in Rule 2.1.2.

2.1.2. If the pallino initially comes to rest on or near a surface or object that might damage the balls (pavement, rocks, etc.), it may be re-thrown to prevent damaging the balls.

3. Game Play

After the opening pallino toss, Bowler 1 throws a bocce, attempting to place it as close to the pallino as possible. Bowler 2 then tosses one of their bocce, attempting to get closer to the pallino, displace the pallino, or displace Bowler 1’s bocce in order to leave their bocce closest to the pallino. If successful, Bowler 1 then throws to attempt the same.
Play continues in this manner until all bocci have been thrown and the round score is tallied.

3.1 Comments

3.1.1. All bocci must be bowled or thrown from the same spot the pallino was initially thrown.

3.1.2. Despite the occasionally vigorous assertions of certain players, a volo is not illegal, rude or otherwise wrong.

4. Scoring

The winning bowler scores one point per bocce closer to the pallino than their opponent’s closest bocce. If a bocce is baci, that bocce scores two points. Only one bowler scores per round.

4.1 Examples

4.1.1. Bowler 1’s bocci are 6, 9, 12 and 15 inches from the pallino, and Bowler 2’s bocci are 10, 12, 13 and 14, Bowler 1’s score for the round is 2.

4.1.2. Bowler 2 has one baci and the remaining bocci sit 5, 10 and 15 inches from the pallino, and Bowler 2’s bocci are 12, 14, 17 and 20, Bowler 2’s score is 4.

4.2 Comments

4.2.1. Acceptable means of establishing relative distance between bocci and the pallino include pacing off the distance, string/yarn, tape measure, sticks, telescoping antennae, or any other mutually agreed upon method.

4.2.2. An impartial third party may be enlisted to settle scoring disputes.

5. End of Play

The first bowler to score the established points for a given round wins the game. (see Rule 6.3)

6. Tournament Play

The following rules and conditions are in effect for the tournament.

6.1 Tournament Bracket Seeding

Four first round brackets will be established at random by the tournament organizers. Player’s names will be will be drawn from a hat and seeded in the order drawn.

6.2 Tournament Format

Divisional Play is a round-robin format, with one game between each player in their respective bracket. The top two players in each Division advance to the Conference Playoffs. The top two conference players compete for the Conference Championship, with the conference champions advancing to the Championship Game.

6.3 Tournament Scoring

Division and Conference Games - Games are played to 7 points and must be one by a margin of no less than 2 points.

Conference and Tournament Championship - The championship games are a single game played to 11 points with no minimum point margin to win.

7. Strategery & Miscellany

This section includes simple strategies for competitive Extreme Bocce and other items not addressed elsewhere in the rules.

7.1 Drinking on the Field of Play

7.1.1. Is encouraged. In fact, we believe that is a primary reason why you were given two hands. Or if you don't have two hands, why we have beer-holder hats and hydration packs.

7.1.2. There is some strategy to drinking during the tournament. First you should determine if you are in the tournament to win, or simply for the fun of not being at work. Pace yourself appropriately, and remember there's plenty o' drinking to be done after the tournament ends.

7.2 Interference

7.2.1. Due to the number of concurrent games during the first round of play, games can overlap. Treat the interfering game as regular obstacles to your game, unless the interference alters the outcome of the game, such as displacing a previously thrown bocce or colliding with live bocci in play. Interference may be remedied as mutually agreed by either replacing the played bocce or re-throwing the live bocce.

7.2.2. Due to the number of drinks people consume over the course of the day, drunk people may stumble into your game. Treat the interfering drunk as a regular obstacle to your game, unless the interference alters the outcome of the game, such as kicking a previously thrown bocce or placing their head in the trajectory of a volo. Interference may be remedied as mutually agreed by either replacing the played bocce, re-throwing the live bocce, and/or making the offending individual bring you another drink.

7.3 Time Limits

7.3.1. No time limits are imposed on game play, but players should strive to complete their games in a timely manner, especially in the first round, to ensure enough daylight for subsequent rounds.

7.3.2. If tournament play continues past dark, play may be aided by the use of flashlights and/or impartial third parties to help establish pallino and bocci location.

7.4 Exceptions

Any conditions or situations not addressed by these rules that may arise during the tournament and cannot be settled through impartial third-party arbitration shall be settled by a beer shotgunning duel at 20 paces.

7.5 Long Game vs. Short Game

There is a lot of strategy to opening a scoring round with regard to playing a short or long game. In Extreme Bocce, there are no restrictions on how far away the pallino is thrown, so consider your strengths and your opponent's strengths before getting started. If you are a master of Droppin' the Bomb, a short game is more conducive to this kind of play. If you prefer bolwing the ball rather than throwing it, the long game may be for you. In the first round, it is a good idea to check out the competition when you're not playing to see what you're up against. Unless you're just there to drink, in which case please refer to Rule 7.1.2.

7.6 Terrain

The biggest difference between formal bocce and Extreme Bocce lies in the playing surface. In formal bocce, the surface is either sand or grass, perfectly level and of exacting dimmensions. In Extreme Bocce, we have no use for these kinds of tight-assed conventions. Throw the pallino over a shrub, behind a tree, against a hill, or in any location that will appropriately increase the difficulty of play. As with playing a long vs. short game, use the terrain to your advantage or your opponent's disadvantage.

1. Terminology
The following terms are used throughout the rules and during gameplay.
	Pallino – the small, white target ball
	Bocce – the larger, colored balls used in play (plural – bocci)
	Baci – a bocce touching the pallino (lit. “kissing”)
	Rochambeau – Formal name for the game of Paper, Rock and Scissors
	Punto – a bocce thrown with the intent of scoring a point
	Raffa – a bocce thrown with the intent of striking an opponent’s bocce
	Volo – a bocce thrown in the air with the intent of striking an opponent’s bocce
	Impartial Third Party – someone either eliminated from tournament play, not participating in the tournament, or too drunk to care
	Short Game – a game where the pallino comes to rest at such a distance as to make raffa and volo throws relatively easy
	Long Game – a game where the pallino comes to rest at such a distance as to make airborne throws exceptionally difficult
	Bad Bounce – when a thrown bocce takes an unfortunate or otherwise unhelpful bounce
	Kissing – see baci
	Droppin' the Bomb – see volo

2. Beginning the Game
The opening bowler shall be decided by coin toss, Rochambeau or other mutually-agreed upon system. The winning bowler (Bowler 1) may select which color bocci they wish to use. Bowler 1 throws the pallino to open play.
	2.1. Comments
		2.1.1. Natural terrain and man-made obstacles (lawn chairs, tents, etc) may be used to increase the difficulty of play. Play commences regardless of the lie of the pallino or playing surface condition, except as noted in Rule 2.1.2.
		2.1.2. If the pallino initially comes to rest on or near a surface or object that might damage the balls (pavement, rocks, etc.), it may be re-thrown to prevent damaging the balls.

3. Game Play
After the opening pallino toss, Bowler 1 throws a bocce, attempting to place it as close to the pallino as possible. Bowler 2 then tosses one of their bocce, attempting to get closer to the pallino, displace the pallino, or displace Bowler 1’s bocce in order to leave their bocce closest to the pallino. If successful, Bowler 1 then throws to attempt the same. Play continues in this manner until all bocci have been thrown and the round score is tallied.
	3.1 Comments
		3.1.1. All bocci must be bowled or thrown from the same spot the pallino was initially thrown.
		3.1.2. Despite the occasionally vigorous assertions of certain players, a volo is not illegal, rude or otherwise wrong.

4. Scoring
The winning bowler scores one point per bocce closer to the pallino than their opponent’s closest bocce. If a bocce is baci, that bocce scores two points. Only one bowler scores per round.
	4.1 Examples
		4.1.1. Bowler 1’s bocci are 6, 9, 12 and 15 inches from the pallino, and Bowler 2’s bocci are 10, 12, 13 and 14, Bowler 1’s score for the round is 2.
		4.1.2. Bowler 2 has one baci and the remaining bocci sit 5, 10 and 15 inches from the pallino, and Bowler 2’s bocci are 12, 14, 17 and 20, Bowler 2’s score is 4.
	4.2 Comments
		4.2.1. Acceptable means of establishing relative distance between bocci and the pallino include pacing off the distance, string/yarn, tape measure, sticks, telescoping antennae, or any other mutually agreed upon method.
		4.2.2. An impartial third party may be enlisted to settle scoring disputes.

5. End of Play
The first bowler to score the established points for a given round wins the game. (see Rule 6.3)

6. Tournament Play
The following rules and conditions are in effect for the tournament.
	6.1 Tournament Bracket Seeding
	Four first round brackets will be established at random by the tournament organizers. Player’s names will be will be drawn from a hat and seeded in the order drawn.
	6.2 Tournament Format
	Divisional Play is a round-robin format, with one game between each player in their respective bracket. The top two players in each Division advance to the Conference Playoffs. The top two conference players compete for the Conference Championship, with the conference champions advancing to the Championship Game.
	6.3 Tournament Scoring
		Division and Conference Games - Games are played to 7 points and must be one by a margin of no less than 2 points.
		Conference and Tournament Championship - The championship games are a single game played to 11 points with no minimum point margin to win.

7. Strategery & Miscellany
This section includes simple strategies for competitive Extreme Bocce and other items not addressed elsewhere in the rules.
	7.1 Drinking on the Field of Play
		7.1.1. Is encouraged. In fact, we believe that is a primary reason why you were given two hands. Or if you don't have two hands, why we have beer-holder hats and hydration packs.
		7.1.2. There is some strategy to drinking during the tournament. First you should determine if you are in the tournament to win, or simply for the fun of not being at work. Pace yourself appropriately, and remember there's plenty o' drinking to be done after the tournament ends.
	7.2 Interference
		7.2.1. Due to the number of concurrent games during the first round of play, games can overlap. Treat the interfering game as regular obstacles to your game, unless the interference alters the outcome of the game, such as displacing a previously thrown bocce or colliding with live bocci in play. Interference may be remedied as mutually agreed by either replacing the played bocce or re-throwing the live bocce.
		7.2.2. Due to the number of drinks people consume over the course of the day, drunk people may stumble into your game. Treat the interfering drunk as a regular obstacle to your game, unless the interference alters the outcome of the game, such as kicking a previously thrown bocce or placing their head in the trajectory of a volo. Interference may be remedied as mutually agreed by either replacing the played bocce, re-throwing the live bocce, and/or making the offending individual bring you another drink.
	7.3 Time Limits
		7.3.1. No time limits are imposed on game play, but players should strive to complete their games in a timely manner, especially in the first round, to ensure enough daylight for subsequent rounds.
		7.3.2. If tournament play continues past dark, play may be aided by the use of flashlights and/or impartial third parties to help establish pallino and bocci location.
	7.4 Exceptions
	Any conditions or situations not addressed by these rules that may arise during the tournament and cannot be settled through impartial third-party arbitration shall be settled by a beer shotgunning duel at 20 paces.
	7.5 Long Game vs. Short Game
	There is a lot of strategy to opening a scoring round with regard to playing a short or long game. In Extreme Bocce, there are no restrictions on how far away the pallino is thrown, so consider your strengths and your opponent's strengths before getting started. If you are a master of Droppin' the Bomb, a short game is more conducive to this kind of play. If you prefer bolwing the ball rather than throwing it, the long game may be for you. In the first round, it is a good idea to check out the competition when you're not playing to see what you're up against. Unless you're just there to drink, in which case please refer to Rule 7.1.2.
	7.6 Terrain
	The biggest difference between formal bocce and Extreme Bocce lies in the playing surface. In formal bocce, the surface is either sand or grass, perfectly level and of exacting dimmensions. In Extreme Bocce, we have no use for these kinds of tight-assed conventions. Throw the pallino over a shrub, behind a tree, against a hill, or in any location that will appropriately increase the difficulty of play. As with playing a long vs. short game, use the terrain to your advantage or your opponent's disadvantage.