Watch the Pallino

Bocce is one of the world’s most popular and enduring sports. Though it is often credited to the Italians who embraced it and brought it to America in the early 1900s as they emigrated to the United States to find a better way of life, the Italians actually modified the game as did the French, Greeks and the English. The game and its many variations is played worldwide in many nations and cultures. The first ever documentation of bocce was in Egypt around 5200 BC. Bocce was played in Palestine and in Asia Minor. The French modified the game and called it "boules".  Bocce was picked up by the Greeks and introduced it to the Romans. The Romans really took to the game. Nowadays everyone plays bocce in Italy - it is their favorite pastime. 

From New York to Boston, Philadelphia to Chicago, St. Louis to California, you locate a Little Italy and you will certainly find a game of bocce being played.  "Watch the Pallino" is a film that documents the community of Toluca, Illinois unique variation of the game. Bocce's friendly camaraderie and strategic element make it a draw for casual and serious players alike. 

Remember bocce is a great sport that can be played anywhere. While drinking a pint of your favorite brew at a local pub or eating a plate of pasta at your favorite restaurant, bocce is a game that you don't need to be Italian to enjoy.

Learning to play the traditional Italian card game, Scopa

In Italy, Scopa is an immensely popular Italian card game that rivals poker in popularity in the United States. I was fortunate to have learned Scopa from my nonno, an immigrant to the United States from Puglia, Italy. Nonno would share stories of how old men sitting in parks, cafés, piazzas and pizzerias would play the game passionately, and how the "giovani" would just hang around trying to look hip while learning.

I've visited my nonno's hometown and watched these Italian old-timers play for hours on hours. My wife and children would marvel at how much energy these men had and how much fun they were having. I explained the game to my family. Within each of the four suits - denari, bastoni, spade, coppe there are 10 cards. The cards one through seven were easy to explain; however, the three picture cards weren't so easy. The Re or King and the Cavallo or Knight are relatively simple to identify but Le Donne were difficult to comprehend. Le donne "the women" don't look feminine at all, which tends to annoy most beginners.

With Italian beauties like Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigdia, and Claudia Cardinale, having "le donne" illustrated to look like young peasant boys is confounding. 

After explaining the game and playing a few hands, my family understood the rules and were determined to play the traditional Italian card game.

“I’m going to have to teach my classmates how to play,” said my daughter.

Those eager-to-learn can visit www.ScopaCards.com to learn how to play, then confidently challenge their "paisans" in either parks, cafés, piazzas, pizzerias or online.

Ciao.

Giuseppe