SCORING 5 PIN BOWLING

O                                  O

Left corner pin (2 points)                              Right corner pin (2 points)

O                    O

Left 3 pin (3 points)               Right 3 pin (3 points)

O  

Headpin (5 points)

Summary:

Each pin is assigned a specific value. The values of the pins have are, from left to right, "2-3-5-3-2." The value of all the pins is 15 so if you can knock down all the pins in a frame you will score 15 points however if you get a strike (all pins down with the first ball) or spare (all pins down with the first two balls) you get bonus points. For a strike you add on the total of your next two balls and for a spare you add on the total of your next ball. The maximum possible score in a game is '450'. Perfect games of 450 are extremely rare.  Most bowlers are very happy to get a '300' score.  Anyone with an average of over 250 is considered a top calibre bowler. For more information on how to score ask the people at your local center to explain it in more detail.  Regardless of your scores just get out and enjoy the game.

The following example should help to explain.

Explanation

"Me"

First frame:  With the first ball I knocked down the left 3 and left 2 pin for a score of 5.  With the second ball I knocked down the head (centre) pin for a score of 5.  With the third ball I knocked down the right 3 and 2 for a score of 5.  Total score for the frame is 15.

Second frame:  With the first ball I knocked down the right 2 pin.  With the second ball I knocked down all of the rest of the pins (total 13) and made a spare (marked as / ).  Total score for the frame is 15 PLUS whatever I get on the first ball of the next frame.  In this example I got 5 (for the headpin [marked as HP]) for a total of 15+5=20.  That total is added to the total of the previous frame.  So 15+20=35.

Third frame:  The "HP" represents the headpin I knocked down on the first ball for a value of 5.  I then took out the 3 and 2 on one side with the second ball and the remaining 3 and 2 with the third ball for a total of 15 that is added to the previous total for new running total of 50 (35+15=50).

Fourth frame:  First ball the right 3 and 2 pins.  Second ball the head pin and the left 3 (5+3=8) and the third ball went into the gutter for no score (marked as "-").   Total for the frame 5+8=13.

Fifth frame:  First ball gets the headpin and the two 3 pins leaving "Aces" (marked as "A"). Score 5+3+3=11.  Second ball got nothing.  Third ball got the left 2 pin.  Score for the frame 11+2=13.

Sixth frame:  First ball got the headpin and the right 3 (5+3=8) leaving the left 3 and 2 and the right 2.  This is called a headpin split and is marked as an "S".  Second ball got the left 3 and 2.  Third ball the right 2.  Total for the frame (5+3)+(3+2)+2=15.

Seventh frame:  First ball got the headpin and the left 3 and left 2 (5+3+2=10) leaving the right 3 and 2.  This is called a "Chop Off" and is marked as "c/o".  second ball got the right 3. Third ball got the right 2.  Total for the frame (5+3+2)+3+2=15.

Eighth frame: First ball got the left 2 pin.  Second ball got all of the rest of the pins (3+5+3+2=13) for a spare.  Total score for the frame is 15 PLUS whatever I get on the first ball of the next frame.  In this example I got everything except the right 2 on the first ball in the ninth frame so get 15+13=28.

Ninth frame:  First ball got all but the right 2 pin.  Second ball  got the right 2 pin. (13+2=15) for a spare.  Total score for the frame is 15 PLUS whatever I get on the first ball of the next frame.  In this example I got a strike (all pins down with the first ball and marked as "X") in the tenth frame so the ninth frame counts 15+15=30.

Tenth frame: In the tenth frame you are permitted to throw three balls regardless of what you get.  In this example I got all the pins down on the first ball (a strike), did the same with the second ball and once again with the third ball.  Score for the frame is 15+15+15=45 for a grand game total of 209.  All in all a pretty good score considering all of the problems encountered.

"You"

First frame:  First ball left 3 and 2.  Second ball all the rest for a spare.  (3+2)+ (5+3+2)=15 PLUS whatever you get on the first ball of the next frame.  In this example you got everything (a strike) so the frame score is 15+15=30.

Second frame:  All pins down on the first ball (a strike). 15 PLUS whatever you get on the next TWO balls.  In this example you got another strike on the first ball in the third frame so you still have to count the next ball (the first ball in the fourth frame).  Total score for the frame is 15+15+(3+2)=35 added to your first frame score of 30 = 65.

Third frame:  First ball strike (15) PLUS first ball in next frame (5) plus second ball in next frame (5) = 25.

Fourth frame: First ball left 3 and 2.  Second ball right 3 and 2.  Third ball headpin.  5+5+5=15.

Fifth frame:  Strike (15) plus next two balls: 15+15 (strike in sixth)+15 (strike in seventh)=45

Sixth frame: Strike (15) plus next two balls: 15+15 (strike in seventh)+15 (strike in eighth)=45

Seventh frame: Strike (15) plus next two balls: 15+15 (strike in eighth)+15 (strike in ninth)=45

Eighth frame:  Strike (15) plus next two balls: 15+15 (strike in ninth)+15 (strike on first ball in tenth)=45

Ninth frame:  Strike (15) plus next two balls: 15+15 (strike on first ball in tenth)+15 (strike on second ball in tenth)=45

Tenth frame:  Strike on first ball (15).  Strike on second ball (15).  Headpin on third ball (5).  15+15+5=35.  Grand total of 365, an outstanding game.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me:  Gary Black  GOOD BOWLING!

5-Pin Bowling Terms and Scoring Symbols

"/"    Symbol for a spare (all pins down with first two balls in a frame)

"Aces"    All pins except the two corner pins down on your first ball

"Bed posts"  Same as Aces

"Chop-off"  Knocking down the headpin and all the pins on one side (5+3+2) with the first ball

"c/o" Symbol for a chop-off

"HP" (head pin) Knocking down only the headpin with the first ball

"Headpin" The middle pin

"Head pin split"  Knocking down the head pin and one three pin with the first ball

"Left Corner"   The pin furthest to the left

"L"  Symbol for a left corner pin left standing after the first ball

"Right Corner"  The pin furthest to the right

"R"  Symbol for a right corner pin left standing after the first ball

"S" Symbol for a headpin split

"Spare" Knocking down all the pins with the second ball

"Split"  Same as a headpin split.

"Strike" Knocking down all the pins with the first ball

"X" Most common symbol for a strike