Bowling is a popular sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to socialize, have fun, and get some exercise. If you are new to bowling, you may be wondering how to keep score. Bowling scoring is actually quite simple, once you understand the basics. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do bowling scoring.
The first step in bowling scoring is to understand the scoring system. The scoring system in bowling is based on the number of pins that you knock down with each ball. You get one point for each pin that you knock down, and you get a bonus for knocking down all ten pins in a single frame. A strike is when you knock down all ten pins with your first ball. A spare is when you knock down all ten pins with your two balls. Strikes and spares are worth more points than regular frames, so it is important to try to get as many of them as possible.
The next step in bowling scoring is to learn how to keep track of your score. You can keep track of your score on a piece of paper, or you can use a bowling scorekeeping app. If you are using a piece of paper, simply write down the number of pins that you knock down in each frame. If you are using a bowling scorekeeping app, the app will automatically keep track of your score for you. Once you have finished bowling all ten frames, you will add up your total score to see how many points you have.
The Basics of Bowling Scoring
Bowling scoring is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s important to understand the basics before you start playing. The game is played on a lane that is 60 feet long and 42 inches wide. The pins are arranged in a triangle shape at the end of the lane. The objective of the game is to knock down all ten pins with a single ball.
The scoring system in bowling is based on the number of pins knocked down with each ball. A strike is scored when all ten pins are knocked down with the first ball. A spare is scored when all ten pins are knocked down with two balls. A gutter ball is scored when the ball goes into the gutter instead of hitting any pins.
The score for a frame is determined by adding up the number of pins knocked down on the first ball plus the number of pins knocked down on the second ball. If a strike is scored, the score for the frame is 10 plus the number of pins knocked down on the next two balls. If a spare is scored, the score for the frame is 10 plus the number of pins knocked down on the next ball.
The total score for a game is the sum of the scores for all ten frames. The highest possible score in bowling is 300, which is achieved by bowling twelve strikes in a row.
Understanding Frames and Pins
Frames
Each game of bowling consists of 10 frames. A frame is a set of two turns, or rolls, during which a bowler attempts to knock down all 10 pins on the lane. Each turn, the bowler rolls the ball down the lane, aiming to hit the pins and knock them down.
Pins
There are 10 pins arranged in a triangular formation at the end of the lane. The pins are numbered from 1 to 10, with pin 1 being the front pin and pin 10 being the back pin. The objective of the game is to knock down all 10 pins with two rolls in a frame.
Scoring
The scoring system varies depending on how many pins are knocked down with each roll and the sequence of rolls.
Open Frame: If the bowler fails to knock down all 10 pins in two rolls, the frame is called an "open frame" and is worth the number of pins knocked down.
Strike: If the bowler knocks down all 10 pins with the first roll, it is called a "strike" and is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down in the next two rolls.
Spare: If the bowler knocks down all 10 pins with two rolls, it is called a "spare" and is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down with the next roll.
Split: If the bowler fails to knock down all 10 pins with the first roll and the remaining pins are separated, it is called a "split" and can be difficult to convert into a spare.
Calculating the Score
Scoring in bowling is fairly straightforward. Each frame is worth a maximum of 30 points. The total score for a game is the sum of the scores for all ten frames, plus any bonus points earned for strikes or spares in the final frame.
Scoring a Frame
There are two ways to score a frame:
- Open frame: If the bowler does not knock down all ten pins with their two balls, the score for the frame is the total number of pins knocked down.
- Strike: If the bowler knocks down all ten pins with their first ball, it is called a strike and is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down with the next two balls. The two balls following a strike are rolled in the next frame.
- Spare: If the bowler knocks down all ten pins with their two balls, it is called a spare and is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down with the next ball. The next ball is rolled in the next frame.
| Frame | Roll 1 | Roll 2 | Roll 3 | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 2 | – | 9 |
| 2 | 10 | – | – | 10 + 10 |
| 3 | 5 | 5 | – | 15 |
| 4 | 10 | – | – | 10 + 5 |
| 5 | 2 | 8 | – | 10 |
| 6 | 10 | – | – | 10 + 4 |
| 7 | 3 | 7 | – | 10 |
| 8 | 10 | – | – | 10 + 10 |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | – | 10 |
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 10 + 3 + 5 |
Strikes
A strike is the best possible outcome in bowling. It occurs when a bowler knocks down all ten pins on the first ball of a frame. Strikes are awarded 10 points, plus the number of pins knocked down with the next two balls. For example, a strike followed by two strikes would be worth 30 points.
Spares
A spare is awarded when a bowler knocks down all ten pins with two balls. Spares are worth 10 points, plus the number of pins knocked down with the next ball. For example, a spare followed by a strike would be worth 20 points.
Open Frames
An open frame occurs when a bowler does not knock down all ten pins with their first two balls. Open frames are worth the number of pins knocked down with the two balls. For example, an open frame with 5 pins knocked down would be worth 5 points.
The Tenth Frame
The tenth frame is different from the other frames in bowling. In the tenth frame, bowlers get two additional balls if they get a strike or spare. This gives them a chance to score more points and potentially reach a perfect score of 300.
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 300 | Perfect game (12 strikes) |
| 270 | 11 strikes and 1 spare |
| 240 | 10 strikes and 2 spares |
| 210 | 9 strikes and 3 spares |
| 180 | 8 strikes and 4 spares |
Spare Shots
A spare occurs when the bowler knocks down all ten pins in two rolls. This is indicated by a slash (/) in the box on the score sheet. The following roll is called the “spare bonus” and counts as an additional 10 points.
The Spare Bonus
The spare bonus is added to the total score for the frame in which the spare was made. For example, if a bowler bowls a spare in the first frame and then rolls a 5 in the second frame, the total score for the first frame would be 15 points (10 points for the spare plus 5 points for the 5 in the second frame).
Strikes After a Spare
If a bowler bowls a strike after a spare, the spare bonus is doubled. For example, if a bowler bowls a spare in the first frame and then rolls a strike in the second frame, the total score for the first frame would be 20 points (10 points for the spare plus 10 points for the strike doubled).
Consecutive Spares
If a bowler bowls consecutive spares, the spare bonus for each spare is doubled. For example, if a bowler bowls three consecutive spares, the total score for the first three frames would be 60 points (10 points for each spare plus 10 points for each strike doubled).
| Number of Spares | Bonus Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 30 |
| 4 | 40 |
| 5 | 50 |
Open Frames
In bowling, an open frame occurs when all ten pins are not knocked down in two consecutive rolls. The scorer marks the frame with a dash (-) to indicate that it is open.
Scoring Open Frames
Open frames have no special scoring rules. The total number of pins knocked down in the frame is simply added to the running total.
Special Case: The Gutter Ball
If a bowler rolls a gutter ball (when the ball goes directly into the gutter without touching any pins), it is recorded as a zero (0). Gutter balls do not count towards the frame total.
Example: Open Frame with a Gutter Ball
Let’s say a bowler rolls a gutter ball in the first roll of a frame. In the second roll, they knock down five pins. The frame would be scored as follows:
| Frame 1 | 0 | 5 | – |
|---|
The running total after the open frame would be 5.
The Tenth Frame
The tenth frame is the final frame in a bowling game. It is the only frame that allows for a possible third ball to be rolled. In the tenth frame, a player has two chances to knock down all ten pins. If they succeed, they earn a strike. If they knock down all ten pins on their second ball, they earn a spare. If they fail to knock down all ten pins on their first two balls, they score the number of pins knocked down on their first two balls.
There are two special cases that can occur in the tenth frame:
- Strike or Spare in the Tenth Frame: If a player earns a strike or spare on their first or second ball in the tenth frame, they get an additional ball to try to knock down the remaining pins.
- Open Frame in the Tenth Frame: If a player does not earn a strike or spare on their first two balls in the tenth frame, their score for the frame is the number of pins knocked down on their first two balls.
The table below summarizes the scoring for the tenth frame:
| First Ball | Second Ball | Third Ball | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strike | – | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the next two balls |
| Spare | – | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Open Frame | – | – | The number of pins knocked down on the first two balls |
| Strike | Strike | – | 20 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Strike | Spare | – | 20 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Strike | Open Frame | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Spare | Strike | – | 20 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Spare | Spare | – | 20 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Spare | Open Frame | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Open Frame | Strike | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Open Frame | Spare | – | 10 + the number of pins knocked down on the third ball |
| Open Frame | Open Frame | – | The number of pins knocked down on the first two balls |
Bonus Points
In bowling, bonus points are awarded for certain achievements, such as knocking down all ten pins (a strike) or knocking down all ten pins with two balls (a spare). Bonus points can significantly impact the final score, so it is important to understand how they are calculated.
Strikes
A strike occurs when all ten pins are knocked down with the first ball. A strike is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down with the next two balls. For example, if a player rolls a strike, followed by a spare, they would earn 10 points from the strike, plus 10 points from the spare, for a total of 20 points for the frame.
Spares
A spare occurs when all ten pins are knocked down with two balls. A spare is worth 10 points plus the number of pins knocked down with the next ball. For example, if a player rolls a spare, followed by a strike, they would earn 10 points from the spare, plus 10 points from the strike, for a total of 20 points for the frame.
Consecutive Strikes
When multiple strikes are rolled in a row, the bonus points are cumulative. For example, if a player rolls three consecutive strikes, they would earn 10 points for the first strike, plus 20 points for the second strike (10 points from the strike plus 10 points from the next ball), plus 30 points for the third strike (10 points from the strike plus 10 points from each of the next two balls), for a total of 60 bonus points.
Calculating Bonus Points
The following table summarizes how bonus points are calculated:
| Achievement | Bonus Points |
|---|---|
| Strike | 10 points plus number of pins knocked down with next two balls |
| Spare | 10 points plus number of pins knocked down with next ball |
| Consecutive Strikes | Bonus points for each strike cumulative |
Tiebreaker Scenarios
When scores are tied at the end of regulation play, bowled strikes and spares can be used to differentiate between players or teams. The player or team with the higher score in each respective category advances.
Strikes
The player or team with the most strikes takes precedence over the opponent(s) with the most spares.
Spares
If the players or teams are tied in strikes, the player or team with the most spares advances.
Open Frames
If the players or teams are tied in strikes and spares, the player or team with the fewest open frames (frames where no pins are knocked down on the first or second ball) advances.
Number of 9s
If the players or teams are still tied after considering strikes, spares, and open frames, the player or team with the most 9-pin counts (knocking down all but one pin on the first ball) advances.
If the players or teams are tied in strikes, the player or team with the most spares advances.
Open Frames
If the players or teams are tied in strikes and spares, the player or team with the fewest open frames (frames where no pins are knocked down on the first or second ball) advances.
Number of 9s
If the players or teams are still tied after considering strikes, spares, and open frames, the player or team with the most 9-pin counts (knocking down all but one pin on the first ball) advances.
If the players or teams are tied in strikes and spares, the player or team with the fewest open frames (frames where no pins are knocked down on the first or second ball) advances.
Number of 9s
If the players or teams are still tied after considering strikes, spares, and open frames, the player or team with the most 9-pin counts (knocking down all but one pin on the first ball) advances.
If the players or teams are still tied after considering strikes, spares, and open frames, the player or team with the most 9-pin counts (knocking down all but one pin on the first ball) advances.
| Player A | Player B |
|---|---|
| 3 strikes | 2 strikes |
| 2 spares | 3 spares |
| 1 open frame | 2 open frames |
| 5 9-pin counts | 3 9-pin counts |
In this example, Player A advances due to having more 9-pin counts, despite Player B having more strikes and spares.
Tips for Accurate Scoring
1. Keep a scorecard.
A scorecard is a physical or digital record of your bowling scores. It can help you keep track of your progress and identify areas where you need to improve. You can find scorecards online, in bowling alleys, or even in the bowling apps.
2. Use a calculator.
A calculator can help you quickly and easily calculate your score.
You don’t have to worry about making mistakes when you add and subtract pins.
3. Bowl more often.
The more you bowl, the better you will become at scoring. You will learn to recognize patterns and make better decisions about where to aim your ball.
4. Practice scoring different types of shots.
There are many different types of shots in bowling, and each one is scored differently. Practice scoring strikes, spares, splits, and washes so that you are prepared for anything that comes your way.
5. Pay attention to the number of pins that are knocked down.
This may seem obvious, but it is important to pay attention to the number of pins that are knocked down on each shot. This will help you calculate your score correctly.
6. Use a strike counter.
A strike counter is a device that helps you keep track of how many strikes you have bowled. This can be helpful for determining your score and for calculating your average.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you are unsure about how to score a particular shot, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a bowling alley employee or a more experienced bowler.
8. Review your score at the end of each game.
Once you have finished bowling, take some time to review your score. This will help you identify areas where you can improve and set goals for the next time you bowl.
9. Use a bowling app.
There are several bowling apps available that can help you track your scores, calculate your average, and find bowling alleys near you. These apps can be a great way to stay organized and improve your game.
10. Penalties
| Penalty | Points Deducted |
|---|---|
| Gutter Ball (hitting no pins) | 0 |
| Foul (stepping over the foul line) | -1 point |
| Double Foul | -2 points |
| Pin left standing after a strike | -10 points |
| Pin left standing after three balls | -10 points |
How to Do Bowling Scoring
Bowling scoring can seem complicated to beginners, but it’s actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you keep track of your score:
**1. Start with a clean slate.** Before you begin bowling, make sure the scoreboard is reset to zero.
**2. Bowl your first frame.** In each frame, you get two chances to knock down all 10 pins. If you knock down all 10 pins with your first ball, it’s called a **strike**. If you knock down all 10 pins with your second ball, it’s called a **spare**.
**3. Add up the pins you knocked down in the first frame.** If you got a strike, your score for that frame is 10 plus the number of pins you knock down with your next two balls. If you got a spare, your score for that frame is 10 plus the number of pins you knock down with your next ball. If you didn’t get a strike or a spare, your score for that frame is simply the number of pins you knocked down.
**4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each of the next 9 frames.** The 10th frame is a little different, as you get three chances to knock down all 10 pins.
**5. Add up your total score.** Once you’ve finished all 10 frames, add up all of your frame scores to get your total score.
People Also Ask About How to Do Bowling Scoring
What is a strike?
A strike is when you knock down all 10 pins with your first ball in a frame.
What is a spare?
A spare is when you knock down all 10 pins with your second ball in a frame.
How do you score a strike?
If you get a strike, your score for that frame is 10 plus the number of pins you knock down with your next two balls.
How do you score a spare?
If you get a spare, your score for that frame is 10 plus the number of pins you knock down with your next ball.
