Bowling Basics - How To, Bowling Tips & Coaching Articles, Entry Level Bowling Tips
How Does Scoring Work in Bowling?
Scoring
Typically, each knocked-over pin in bowling earns a point. For instance, if a player knocks down three pins with the first shot and six with the second, their total score for that frame would be nine. Similarly, if a player knocks down 9 pins with the initial shot but misses with the second, they would also score nine. When a player fails to knock down all ten pins after the second ball, it is referred to as an open frame.
Strikes
Strike: When a player knocks down all ten pins with the first ball (known as a strike, usually represented as an “X” on a score sheet), they earn ten points, as well as a bonus equal to the sum of the scores from the next two balls. This means that the points scored for the two balls following the strike are counted twice.
Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)
Frame 2, ball 1: 7 pins
Frame 2, ball 2: 2 pins
The total score from these throws is:
Frame one: 10 + (7 + 2) = 19
Frame two: 7 + 2 = 9
TOTAL = 28
Doubles (Two Strikes in a Row)
Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)
Frame 2, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)
Frame 3, ball 1: 5 pins
Frame 3, ball 2: 3 pins
The score from these throws are:
Frame one: 10 + (10 + 5) = 25
Frame two: 10 + (5 + 3) = 18
Frame three: 5 + 3 = 8
TOTAL = 51
In a single frame, the maximum score that can be achieved is 30 points. This includes the initial strike worth 10 points, along with additional strikes in the following two frames.
When a player bowls a strike in the tenth (final) frame, they are granted two additional balls, allowing for bonus points to be awarded. If both of these balls also yield strikes, a total of 30 points (10 + 10 + 10) is granted for the frame. It is important to note that these bonus points do not count independently; rather, they serve as a bonus for the strike itself.
Spares
Spare: A “spare” is earned when a player knocks down all ten pins using both balls of a frame. This awards them ten points, with an additional bonus added for the next ball’s score (only the first ball counts). To indicate this on a score sheet, a slash is typically used instead of the second pin count for that frame.
Example:
Frame 1, ball 1: 6 pins
Frame 1, ball 2: 4 pins (spare)
Frame 2, ball 1: 9 pins
Frame 2, ball 2: 0 pins
The total score from these throws is:
Frame one: 6 + 4 + 9 (bonus) = 19
Frame two: 9 + 0 = 9
TOTAL = 28
When a player bowls a spare in the final frame, they earn an additional ball to add bonus points.
300 is the maximum achievable score without Handicap.
