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Two attempts are allowed, using the second attempt to remove any pins remaining after the first ball. These two attempts make up a frame and 10 frames constitute a game. Points are scored from the total number of pins knocked down in each frame.
A strike is the name given to knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball in a frame, for which 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down in the following two deliveries are scored in that frame. A spare is the name given to knocking down all 10 pins using both balls in a frame, for which 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down in the next delivery are scored in that frame.
When neither a strike or a spare is made, the total of the pins knocked down from 0 to 9 are scored in that frame.
Based on this scoring method, the maximum score possible in a game is 300 points; where strikes are made in all ten frames scoring 30 points per frame. In a game where spares are made in every frame, the game score would be 200 points.
A match, which comprises a pre-set number of games, is won by the player scoring the highest number of games - each game won by having scored more points than the opposition.
Equipment
Balls are made of plastic and fibreglass and must meet precise criteria for balance, hardness and weight. There are three finger holes for thumb, middle finger and ring finger.
The ten pins are made of wood, usually maple, with a plastic coating. Their centre of gravity is calculated so that they fall when they lean more than 8 degrees.
History
The principle of a game rolling a ball to knock down pins dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome.
The first championships in the modern game were held in 1901 for men and 1916 for women. Dick Weber from the USA became a bowling legend by being the only player so far to win titles in the five decades from the 1950s through to the 1990s - being bowler of the year in 1961, 1963 and 1965. |