The pallino is the small target ball thrown first to start every bocce frame. Both teams aim their larger bocce balls at it; the team whose ball ends closest to the pallino scores points. The pallino is visibly smaller than the bocce balls (40 to 60mm vs 107mm) and comes in high-contrast colors so it stays visible against the court surface. It is sometimes also called the pallina, the jack, the boccino, or simply the target ball.
Without a pallino, there is no game. The pallino determines where every other throw is aimed, sets the geometry of every frame, and decides the score. Choosing the right color for your court surface and keeping at least one backup in your bag are the two practical decisions that come with bocce ownership. According to the United States Bocce Federation, the pallino specification has held since FIB-era codification: 40 to 60mm in diameter, visibly distinct from both teams' bocce balls.
Key Takeaways
- The pallino is the small target ball used to start every bocce frame.
- Diameter ranges from 40 to 60mm, depending on the rules variant; USBF open rules use 60mm.
- Common colors: red, white, yellow, orange. Yellow is most visible outdoors; red works best indoors.
- Other names: pallina, jack, boccino, target ball. All refer to the same thing.
- Regulation EPCO pallinos cost $20 each as singles; replacement packs cover backup needs at $50 for mixed colors.
How the pallino is used in play
At the start of each frame, one team throws the pallino into the far half of the court. It must come to rest beyond the center line and at least 1 foot from any side or end wall; if it does not, the other team throws it. Once the pallino is positioned, that's the target for both teams' bocce balls for the rest of the frame.
The pallino does not move during a normal frame, but it can be knocked accidentally by a bocce ball impact. Some rules variants allow a knocked pallino to continue play wherever it comes to rest; others require a re-throw. The Federazione Italiana Bocce sanctioned rules cover the edge cases, and the same rules apply across most North American leagues.
Color choice and surface
Color matters more than people realize. On crushed oyster shell or off-white stone dust outdoor courts, yellow and red both read cleanly. On decomposed granite (warm-tan ground), yellow pops harder. On synthetic indoor carpet (often off-green), red holds visibility better than yellow. White pallinos work everywhere but fade fastest after a season of play.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica's entry on bocce, the pallino's role as the visual focal point of the frame traces from the Roman bocci game and persists in every modern variant. Coverage of bocce equipment in Outside Magazine has highlighted color-matching as the most-underused tactic for backyard play, particularly at dusk when fading light affects visibility.
Pallino sizes across rules variants
USBF Open Rules: 60mm. FIB international raffa: 40 to 50mm. French pétanque (where the pallino is called the cochonnet): 25 to 35mm wood. Italian volo and boule lyonnaise: variant sizes. For North American backyard and league play, 60mm is the default and what BuyBocceBalls stocks as the regulation EPCO pallino line.
The top pallino picks for 2026
1. Regulation EPCO Pallino in White
Best for: mixed-surface play where one pallino covers indoor and outdoor visibility.
The 60mm EPCO white pallino at $20 is the most universal pick. White reads cleanly against stone dust, decomposed granite, and synthetic indoor carpet. Slight downside: white fades the fastest after a full season of outdoor play. Keep a backup in the bag.
2. Regulation EPCO Pallino in Yellow
Best for: outdoor stone-dust and decomposed-granite courts at dusk.
The yellow regulation EPCO pallino at $20 is the highest-visibility outdoor pick. Yellow stays visible against grass, decomposed granite, and crushed-oyster-shell outdoor surfaces when red or white fade into the background. The standard backyard choice for grass-court yards.
3. Pallino Replacement Packs, Mixed Colors
Best for: clubs and league players who need multiple backups across colors and surfaces.
The mixed-color pack covers four pallinos for $50, the same per-pallino cost as singles but with the practical advantage of color rotation. Useful for clubs running multiple courts and for league captains who want a deeper bench during tournament weekends.
Why buy from BuyBocceBalls
We carry regulation EPCO pallinos in every color and the replacement packs that complete a league-day kit. Most US orders ship in two to four business days from US warehouses. Browse the full pallino collection for singles, replacement packs, and engraved configurations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small ball in bocce called?
The pallino. Also called the pallina, jack, boccino, or target ball depending on the language and rules variant. It is the small target ball thrown first to start each frame.
How big is a bocce pallino?
Diameter ranges from 40 to 60mm depending on the rules variant. USBF Open Rules use 60mm. The pallino is visibly smaller than the 107mm regulation bocce balls so it stays distinct on the court.
What color should my bocce pallino be?
For outdoor play, yellow is the highest-visibility choice. For indoor synthetic-carpet play, red reads cleanest. White is the universal middle-ground that works on both surfaces.
How much does a bocce pallino cost?
A single regulation EPCO pallino runs $20. The mixed-color replacement pack of four pallinos runs $50. Engraved Pallino 3-Packs for personalized gifts run $165 to $270.
