Updated Initial Rules (24 May 2006)

Initial Rules as at 24 May 2006.

1. Choose initial thrower of the jack by coin, start an end as normal with normal bocce rules (first to 13 etc.),
2. While playing an end, the player who threw the jack proposes a new rule / amendment. This is debated with possible amendments by the end of the end. More than one rule can be added per end, but a minimum of one per end must be added.
3. The new rule is voted on, and imposed immediately. If the vote is split, then a coin decides. If the proposer wins a coin toss, then the rule is accepted and the proposer gets an extra point. If the proposer loses the toss, then rule is not accepted and the proposer loses a point.
4. Go to step 2.

Winning: by score or by paradox.

• The winner is the first to 13.
• If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if the legality of a move cannot be determined with finality, or if a move appears equally legal and illegal, then the first player unable to complete a turn is the winner. This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining the winner.

The first Nomic Bocce match.

Rules for today:

1. All balls that don't hit a "sheep" are not counted, but remain on the field
2. If 4 points are scored, then players swap scores before adding the 4 points to the winner of the end.
3. All balls must move "left" at some point before stopping. If it doesn't then the ball becomes the other player's.
4. If a ball is in shaddow at the time of scoring, then it counts double.
5. The lower stripes of the 4 balls must go left and the higher 2 bocces must go right.
6. The player with more points must throw the boche while facing the opposite direction in any manner.
7. The "bounce off a sheep" rule was repealed.
   

Simon won 13-3 (due to a 9 point end with some non right bouncing shadow balls), then Rob won 3-2 when time ran out.

Note: The "sheep" are part of the art installation that Rob and I have named "The Sheep of Solitude". This is a collection of ruins from old buildings lying on the grass as an artwork near government house in the botanic gardens of Sydney.

The inaugural base ruleset

The initial ruleset of the first ever Nomic Bocce game is as follows:

1. Choose initial thrower of the jack by coin, start an end as normal,
2. While playing an end, the player who threw the jack proposes a new rule / amendment. This is debated with possible amendments by the end of the end.
3. The new rule is voted on, and imposed for the next end. If the vote is split, then a coin decides. If the proposer wins a coin toss, then the rule is accepted and the proposer gets an extra point. If the proposer loses the toss, then rule is not accepted and the proposer loses a point.
4. Go to step 2.

Nomic related links:
"Nomic." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
The original ruleset by Peter Suber.
Nomic.net