by Amelia Schaffer

Created on: August 19, 2009   Last Updated: February 13, 2011

The object of ten-pin bowling (generally referred to as simply "bowling" in the United States) is to knock down as many bowling pins as possible. A game of bowling has ten frames, each of which consists of up to two throws (or up to three, for the final frame). Players gain one point for each pin knocked down and zero points for missed pins, gutterballs, or fouls. Bonus points are awarded for knocking down all ten pins within one frame.

Bowling is played on a bowling lane, which is 60 feet long by 41.5 inches wide. At the front of the lane is a foul line. If a player steps on or over the foul line while throwing the bowling ball, it is called a foul. Their score for that throw is marked F, equivalent to zero. If a player fouls on the first throw of a frame, the pins are reset for the second throw.

There are two ways to knock down all ten pins and gain bonus points: a strike or a spare. A strike occurs when a player knocks down all ten pins on the first throw of a frame. This is marked X in scoring. For a strike, a player gains 10 points, and the score of the next two throws are doubled. For example, if a player throws a strike in the first frame, another strike in the second frame, and a 7, then 2 in the third frame, the score for the first frame would be 27. The highest score possible in bowling is 300, which occurs when a player bowls 12 strikes in a row.

A spare occurs when a player knocks down all ten pins in two throws within a single frame. The player gains 10 points, and the score of the next single throw is doubled. For example, if a player throws a spare in the first frame, then a strike in the second, the score of the first frame would be 20. If a player bowls a strike or spare in the final frame, an additional bonus throw is awarded, for a total of three throws.

During league play, there are two teams, usually with two to five players each, bowling on two lanes. The first player of each team bowls on their own starting lane, followed by the rest of the team; for the second turn, the players switch lanes. This alternation continues for the rest of the game and is intended to counteract any advantage that may be given by the minor differences in lane conditions.

In addition to the rules of game play and scoring, it is important to be aware of bowling safety guidelines, house rules at a particular bowling alley, and common courtesy for bowlers, such as letting the player to your left bowl first.

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