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Keeping Score


So, you have just started to get serious about the sport of bowling. Even though most Bowling Establishments have automatic scoring it is a very good idea to learn how to keep score by hand. The Automatic Scorers are computers and it is possible for them to go out occasionally leaving you without a way to keep score unless you know how. Understanding the finer points of scoring also helps you understand the game and some of the terms that you may hear thrown around by more experienced bowlers. So without further delay here are the steps involved with manually keeping score in bowling.

Scoring Background:

First it is important to understand that a game of bowling is broken down into 10 scoring units or frames. During each frame the bowler gets two chances to knock down all 10 pins on the alley. If the bowler succeeds in knocking down all the pins on the first delivery it is called a Strike. If there are pins remaining after the first shot the bowler will throw the second shot. If all of the remaining pins are successfully knocked down with the second ball the bowler gets a Spare. If there are pins remaining after the bowler has completed both of his or her shots for that frame it is considered an Open.



Basic Bowling Scoresheet

Keeping Score:
  1. The first step is to write down each bowler's name in the space provided on the score sheet.
  2. The first bowler, in this case John will deliver his Frame 1 first shot. Determine how many pins the John successfully knocked down on his shot and write that number in the upper left-hand box or open space under the Frame 1 column. (For purposes of our example lets assume John knocked down 7 pins on his first ball.)
  3. If the bowler knocked down all 10 pins on the first ball an X should be made in the small right box for that fram.
  4. If the bowler did not knock down all the pins with their first shot then the bowler will throw their second shot. Record the number of pins knocked down on this shot in the small box next to where you wrote down their first ball score. (Lets assume John knocked down 2 of the remaining 3 pins on his second ball.)
  5. If the bowler knocked down all of the remaining pins on their second delivery draw a line from the lower left corner to the upper right corner of the small right-hand box. This is the correct way for marking a Spare.
  6. Next, if the bowler did not get either a strike or a spare add the two numbers together and record the result in the large blank space at the bottom of the Frame 1 box. If the bowler did get a Strike or a Spare you will have to wait until the bowler delivers his next shot to determine their Frame 1 score.
  7. The other bowlers will proceed with their frame one shots. Score them in the same way as for the first bowler.

  8. When the Bowler #1, in our example Johin, delivers his second frame you can now look back at the 1st frame and determine their score if needed.

    If the bowler had a spare in Frame 1, add 10 (the value of a spare) to the number of pins they knocked down with their first ball in Frame 2. Write this amount in the scoring area of the Frame 1 box.


    If the Bowler had a Strike in Frame 1 and anything but another Strike in Frame 2, take the number of pins the Bowler knocked down with both shots in Frame 2 and add 10 (the value of the strike in Frame 1) to that. The result will be their Frame 1 score and should be written in the scoring area of the Frame 1 box.


    If the Bowler had a Strike in Frame 1 and Frame 2, you will have to wait until the next frame to determine their score.


    Otherwise, you will score Frame 2 following the above steps for Frame 1 and add that result to the score in the Frame 1 box.
  9. When Bowler #1 delivers their first shot of Frame 3 you will be able to complete the Frame 1 score no matter what combinations of pins they have left in the previous two frames.

    If the Bowler had a Strike in both Frames 1 and 2, take the number of pins they knocked down with their first ball in Frame 3 and add 20 (the value of the two strikes) to that number. The result is their Frame 1 score and should be written in the Frame 1 scoring area.


    If the bowler did not have two previous strikes follow the above steps to compute their Frame 2 score.
  10. Follow the above steps for every bowler independently in each frame.

These are the basic steps involved in scoring a game of bowling. Bowling is a fun game but even more fun if you understand the basic terminology and score keeping rules. Here are some quick tips to help make keeping score a bit easier to understand.

Scoring Tips:

  1. For a Strike take 10 plus the total pins knocked down on the next two shots.
  2. For a Spare take 10 plus the total pins knocked down on next shot.
  3. For any other shot, the score is the actual number of pins knocked down.