How to Score Bowling
Learn the basics of how the game is structured., Understand the format of a bowling score card., Know the extras.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn the basics of how the game is structured.
A game of bowling has 10 frames.
Within each frame, each player has 2 opportunities to knock down all 10 pins.If all 10 pins are knocked down by a player on the first roll of a frame, the player is awarded a strike and won't need a second turn in that frame.
If a player uses 2 balls to knock down all 10 pins in a frame, the player is awarded a spare.
For example, the player may knock down 7 pins on the first roll and 3 pins on the second.
If a player misses all 10 pins on the first roll and then knocks all 10 down on the second, it's still considered a spare (not a strike) because it took 2 balls to knock the pins down.
An open frame is when a player doesn't knock all 10 pins down in both attempts. -
Step 2: Understand the format of a bowling score card.
The score card has a place for each bowler's name, followed by 10 boxes (one for each frame) and a final score box.
Each of the 10 boxes has a set of 2 smaller boxes; these are to record the number of pins knocked down for each roll within the frame.
The final score box has 1 smaller box, which designates the third roll in frame 10
-- used only if the bowler gets either a spare or strike in the tenth frame. , Depending on the rules you and your friends have determined, you may need to determine how to mark variations in game play.
Once in a while, things out of the norm happen
-- how will these be marked? An "F" can denote when a bowler has gone over the line (literally)
-- the line separating the walk-up to the actual lane.
If they do, they receive 0 points for that turn.
If a bowler receives a split, you may mark an "O" around the number to indicate the pin set-up.
As an alternative, mark an "S" in front of the number of pins knocked down.
A "split" happens when the headpin has been successfully knocked down, yet there is still a gap between all the others still standing.
If the headpin was missed, sometimes the terms "wide" or "washout" are used.
A "W" can be denoted on the card, but, in general, this annotation has fallen out of common usage. -
Step 3: Know the extras.
Detailed Guide
A game of bowling has 10 frames.
Within each frame, each player has 2 opportunities to knock down all 10 pins.If all 10 pins are knocked down by a player on the first roll of a frame, the player is awarded a strike and won't need a second turn in that frame.
If a player uses 2 balls to knock down all 10 pins in a frame, the player is awarded a spare.
For example, the player may knock down 7 pins on the first roll and 3 pins on the second.
If a player misses all 10 pins on the first roll and then knocks all 10 down on the second, it's still considered a spare (not a strike) because it took 2 balls to knock the pins down.
An open frame is when a player doesn't knock all 10 pins down in both attempts.
The score card has a place for each bowler's name, followed by 10 boxes (one for each frame) and a final score box.
Each of the 10 boxes has a set of 2 smaller boxes; these are to record the number of pins knocked down for each roll within the frame.
The final score box has 1 smaller box, which designates the third roll in frame 10
-- used only if the bowler gets either a spare or strike in the tenth frame. , Depending on the rules you and your friends have determined, you may need to determine how to mark variations in game play.
Once in a while, things out of the norm happen
-- how will these be marked? An "F" can denote when a bowler has gone over the line (literally)
-- the line separating the walk-up to the actual lane.
If they do, they receive 0 points for that turn.
If a bowler receives a split, you may mark an "O" around the number to indicate the pin set-up.
As an alternative, mark an "S" in front of the number of pins knocked down.
A "split" happens when the headpin has been successfully knocked down, yet there is still a gap between all the others still standing.
If the headpin was missed, sometimes the terms "wide" or "washout" are used.
A "W" can be denoted on the card, but, in general, this annotation has fallen out of common usage.
About the Author
Sara Wells
Writer and educator with a focus on practical pet care knowledge.
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