What is the difference between a strike and a spare in bowling?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 17, 2026
If a bowler is able to knock down all ten pins with their first ball, he is awarded a strike. If the bowler is able to knock down all 10 pins with the two balls of a frame, it is known as a spare.
Is a strike better than a spare?
Is a spare equal to a strike? Technically, a spare and a strike are both worth ten points to start — the number of pins knocked down in the individual frame where the strike or spare occurred. However, a spare is not equal to a strike because of the difference in bonus points awarded.
Is a spare the same amount as a strike?
Spare: 10 points + the number of pins you knock down for your first attempt at the next frame. Strike: score 10 points + the number of pins you knock down for the entire next frame.
Whats the difference between a strike ball and spare ball in bowling?
Most bowlers have one or two “strike balls” and a “spare ball.” You'll start out with a strike ball in the hopes of—you guessed it—throwing a strike. If you don't get a strike, you'll want to switch to your spare ball to pick up the spare pins on your second turn.
Do spares give you extra points?
A player achieving a spare is awarded ten points, plus a bonus of whatever is scored with the next ball (only the first ball is counted). It is typically rendered as a slash on score sheets in place of the second pin count for a frame.
30 related questions foundWhat does the S mean in bowling?
An “O” around a number indicates the pins that were left standing after the first roll were in a “split” formation, though you can also use an “S” before the number to indicate a split formation. The numbers. Most of the scoring done in a game of bowling involves adding the number of pins knocked down in each frame.
What is 7 strikes in a row called?
7 strikes: seven bagger or front seven. 8 strikes: eight bagger or front eight. 9 strikes: nine bagger or front nine.
Can I use a spare ball as a strike ball?
Strikers prefer not to use a strike ball as it will hook, but the spare ball, which is light in weight, makes the winning chance more precise. There are various kinds of spare balls available in the market, and we will focus on the best ten spare bowling balls today.
Should my spare ball be lighter than my strike ball?
The ball's design is to try and reduce the amount of friction (hook) and dynamics (core) so the ball goes where you throw it. Because of the ball's design, it wouldn't make sense to make it lighter since going back and forth from 15 pounds to 14 pounds and back can lead to inconsistencies in your release.
Why do bowlers have two balls?
There's a particular reason that bowlers carry more than one ball. Most bowlers roll their first shot with a hook, and a spare ball is used for a more precise second throw that won't hook away from the pin(s) that remain.
What is the most common split in bowling?
The most common split is a 7-10 split, which leaves only the back left and back right pin standing, but there are many different situations where a split can occur. A split is the hardest set up to knock because the pins are not close enough for a ball to hit both of them down in one roll.
How do you bowl correctly?
First: Straighten your hand and wrist. Second: Hold your bowling arm out at a distance while you're bowling. Third: Keeping your arm straight, swing it towards your ankle. Fourth: Rotate the wrist, hand, and arm away from your body as you bring the ball near your ankle.
What bowling shot does not curve?
The straight shot is exactly what its name implies except that it is rolled down the alley slightly off center in order to hit the first pin at an advantageous angle. The hook shot consistently beats other shots in producing strikes.
What is 5 strikes in a row called?
However, it's generally accepted that the word "bagger" can be added to any number to describe a string of strikes, so five in a row is 5-bagger, and 10 is 10-bagger. ESPN commentator Rob Stone is credited with calling four strikes a Hambone, and the term has been adopted by many bowlers.
What happens if you roll a strike?
A strike is marked when you knock down all the pins with your first roll. A strike gives you extra pins as a bonus. You do not add up the score for this frame until you have rolled the ball two more times. A spare is marked when you knock down all the pins with two rolls.
Do you bowl again after a strike?
Strike: When all ten pins are knocked down with the first ball (called a strike and typically rendered as an “X” on a score sheet), a player is awarded ten points, plus a bonus of whatever is scored with the next two balls. In this way, the points scored for the two balls after the strike are counted twice.
Should all my bowling balls be the same weight?
You should use the same weight of ball for both your spare ball and your strike ball. This will help it feel familiar while you're gripping it, and you won't have to change up the speed of your release.
Are all plastic bowling balls the same?
Bowling balls are made of four main different types of Coverstocks-Plastic, Urethane, Reactive Resin, and Particle (Proactive).
Whats a good weight for a spare ball?
Typically, adult male beginner players tend to choose balls from 14 to 16 pounds while adult female beginner players choose balls from 10 to 14 pounds. Young bowlers should choose balls in the 6 to 14 pound range.
What pound bowling ball should I throw?
The Right Weight
The lighter bowling balls are typically used for kids who want to bowl, while the heavier bowls are meant for adults. As a general bowling rule, the best bowling ball should weigh around 10% of your body weight, up to 160 pounds.
What is a 300 game in bowling called?
In bowling, a perfect game (in 10 pin at least) is 300 points – strikes in each of the first nine frames, and three in the tenth.
Why are 3 strikes called a turkey?
At some point (no one knows the exact first instance), one tournament decided to give away a turkey to people who managed to bowl three strikes in a row. This practice spread and eventually embedded itself in common bowling vernacular, long after giving away actual turkeys stopped.
What is 12 strikes in a row called?
A perfect game or 12 strikes in a row is also colloquially referred to as the « Thanksgiving Turkey. »
What does C mean in bowling?
Chop Off: A scoring term to describe the first ball of a frame that knocks down the headpin along with the 2 pin and 3 pin on one side. The 3 pin and 2 pin on the opposite side are left standing. It is scored as a "C" on our scoring system, however some scoring systems use the symbol "CO".