How to keep Score in Bowling

Scoring is the most confusing thing to beginner bowlers. Even with electronic scoring, bowlers often wonder how the scores are
generated. The highest score a bowler can recieve is 300. This is a perfect score with strikes in all frames. You have two bowling
attempts in each frame to knock down the pins. Here we will show you some examples on how to score each frame, a spare, or a strike.
Basic Score Card

Listed above is a basic score card used by bowlers. You will notice that there are ten frames and a final score. Also you will notice that
the frames has two smaller boxes within. These boxes are used to notate the bowlers score for each bowl. Remember, a bowler gets to
throw twice during one frame.
Basic Score

Above you will see that Mr. Bowling in frame 1 scored 8 pins. The score was gathered by adding the 5 and the 3 in the smaller boxes
within the frame. On Mr. Bowlings first bowl, he knocked down 5 pins. On his second bowl, he knocked down 3 pins. The math 5 + 3 =
8.
Scoring a Spare

A spare is when all of the bowling pins are knocked down in the two allowed throws in one frame. A spare is indicated by a / as you can
see in frame 2. To score a spare, you must wait until the bowler bowls his or her first throw of the next frame. The number of pins

knocked down in the first throw after the spare is added to 10 (which is the score of the spare) In the example above an 8 was scored in
frame 1. Then in frame 2 a spare was scored following a 6 in frame 3. So how did the player get 28 points? First thing you do is take
the score of 8. You then add 10 points for the spare. You then would add the first score listed in frame 3. In this example Mr. Bowling
knocked down 4 pins in frame 3 giving him 4 points. The math 8 + 10 + 4 = 22
Scoring a Strike

A strike is when all of the bowling pins are knocked down in the first throw. A strike X as you can see in frame 2. To score a strike, you
must wait until the bowler bowls the next frame. The number of pins knocked down in the frame after the strike is added to 10 (which is
the score of the strike) In the example above an 8 was scored in frame 1. Then in frame 2 a strike was scored following a 6 in frame
3. So how did the player get 30 points? First thing you do is take the score of 8. You then add 10 points for the strike. You then would
add the score from frame 3. In this example Mr. Bowling knocked down a total of 6 pins in frame 3 giving him 6 points. The math 8 + 10
+ 6 = 24.

Common Bowling Terms

Bowling uses certain terms to explain the game. In order for you to understand the rules and regulations better, we will define the most
common terms used by bowlers.
The Following Terms Apply To The Game Itself:
The Approach: The approach is the area that you stand to prepare for your throw. This is simply the flooring that you stand on while
you are throwing the ball.
Lane: The lane is the floor that you throw the ball onto. This area is oiled to give the bowling ball a gliding effect to reach the pins.
Gutter: A gutter is a pit on each side of the lane that the bowling ball falls into. If your ball enters the gutter it is deemed a "gutter ball"
and you will score no points for that throw .
Gutter Ball: When the bowling ball enters the gutter from the lane.

Foul: A foul is determined when you cross the foul line during your bowl. The foul line separates the approach and the lane.
Straight Ball: A straight ball is when a bowler throws the bowling ball straight down the lane.
Hook: A hook is when the bowler puts a spin on the bowling ball while throwing it causing it to curve down the lane.
The Following Terms Apply To Scoring:
Frame: A frame is 1/10 of the game. A game of bowling has ten frames and there are ten frames on a score card. The bowler bowls
twice in one frame.
Strike: A strike is scored when the bowler knocks down all ten pins in the first throw. When scoring a strike, points from the next two
balls are doubled.
Strike Out: This is when a bowler bowls three strikes in a row in the 10th frame.
Spare: A Spare is scored when the bowler knocks down all ten pins within in that frame. Usually this is done by knocking all the pins
down in two throws or on the second throw. When scoring a spare, points for the next ball are doubled.
Split: A split is when a bowler knocks down all pins except the left pin and right pin on the back row causing a "split". The split is a
bowlers nightmare, being the most difficult to knock down.
Turkey: A turkey is when a bowler scores three strikes in a row.

Rules of the game

The Standing Area or Approach:
This is the area where you will select your bowling ball, line yourself up and throw. The approach area is approximately 15 feet long and
ends at the foul line. The foul line is a solid dark line where the"lane" begins. The approach is marked with approach dots or line up
points that are used to increase the accuracy of your throw. It is important to remember when releasing the ball to not let your feet cross
over the foul line which seperates the approach area and the lane.

The Lane:

The lane is a straight narrow surface that is 60 feet long and approximately 41.5 inches wide. It is usually created with wood or a
synthetic material. At the end of the lane are the bowling pins. The lane also has one gutter on each side of it. If your ball goes into any
side of these gutters it is deemed to be a "gutter ball."
You will notice that there is a difference between the lane and the approach area. The lanes are treated with an oil so that the bowling
ball will glide over it's surface. A lane will be coated with at least 18 milliliter (ml), or as much as 30 ml of oil. It is important to
remember not to touch any part of the lane with your feet. The lane is very slippery and crossing it is considered a foul. Any pins
knocked down during a foul will not count towards your score.

The Pins:
There are ten pins at the end of the lane. A pin must weigh between 3 pounds, 6 ounces and 3 pounds, 10 ounces. It also has to be 15
inches tall. The first pin is called the head pin. The spots at where the pins sit are numbered, but not the pins themselves. The pins are
set up in four rows with one pin in the first row, two in the second, three in the third, and four in the fourth. They are numbered 1
through 10. The goal is to knock down all the pins at one time.

The Bowling Ball:

A bowling ball can be no more then 27 inches in circumference and must weigh between 10 and 16 pounds. The ball is solid and has two
or three fingers holes.

Bowling Shoes:
Special shoes are required for bowling. Tennis shoes are not authorized on a bowling lane because they will damage the floor. Bowling
shoes consist of a specific sole depending on if you are right handed or left handed. One shoe will have a sliding sole and the other a
breaking sole. If you are a right handed bowler your left shoe will be a slider sole and your right shoe a breaking sole. It is opposite for
left hand bowlers.

The Game:
Bowling is played with 10 scoring frames. Each frame is one turn, but you get two throws in each frame. The number of pins knocked
down with both throws is added to your total score. Please refer to our scoring page to see how scoring works. At the end of the game
the player who has the most points wins. We have listed some common bowling terms here to help you understand the rules of the game.
The most common broken rule in bowling is the foul line. Remember, crossing the foul line will not only disqualify your throw, but you
could risk injury from a fall.