We’re all familiar with bowling, or at least we think we know all about the game! Bowling is a popular activity to enjoy with friends and family, but it’s also a competitive game with teams playing regularly up and down the country.
But what do you know about bowling? According to murreybowling.com, there is more than one type of bowling game? Delve into the history of bowling and learn all about the different kinds of bowling games below.
A brief history of bowling
Bowling has a long history, longer than you might’ve realized. It’s widely believed that bowling can be dated back to 5200 BC, which is more than 7,000 years ago! A grave of a child discovered from Ancient Egypt contained items that were similar to those used to play bowling today. Who knows, the game could date back even further, but for now, this is the oldest recorded finding of bowling.
Meanwhile, the Polynesians (those who inhabit the South Sea Islands), were also found to have enjoyed a game similar to modern bowling, using elliptical balls and flat discs to play. The distance was even set at 60 feet, which is what modern 10-pin bowling uses today.
Over the years, bowling developed in different forms across the world, with the first evidence of bowling in the Americas around 1650, where it was played in Nova Scotia. Over the years, the game continued to grow in popularity, leading to the creation of rules, as well as leagues and teams forming all over the world.
Different types of bowling games have also emerged over the years, leading to several different ways of playing the game.
10-pin bowling
10-pin or Tenpin Bowling is by far the most common type of bowling game. When you visit a bowling alley, this is the type of game you’re most likely to play. The rules of this game were created in 1895 by the American Bowling Progress and bowling continues to be a popular game to play.
What ball is used?
10-pin bowling is played with a heavy, three-finger ball, which typically ranges from 6-16lbs.
What pins are used?
Ten equally-sized pins are used in a game of 10-pin bowling. The material used can vary, but the pins must weigh between 3lbs, 6 oz, and 3lbs, 10 oz. The size should be 15” inches high and 4.7” wide. The pins are arranged into a triangle, which is what’s known as the ‘frame’.
How many frames are in each game?
There are ten frames in a game of 10-pin bowling.
How many turns are in each frame?
Each frame has two turns to try to knock down all the pinks, but if a strike is scored on the first turn, then only a single spin is needed.
Why should you play?
As a fun activity, bowling is a great way to spend time with friends and family, to go on dates, or to go and enjoy yourself. You’ll never be bored during a game of bowling!
9-pin bowling
Despite being one less pin, 9-pin bowling is a very different game. It’s a team game, in which six players take two turns each to knock down the pins. The pins are not reset after each player, as in 10-pin bowling, and are only reset when the pins have all been knocked down.
The twist with 9-pin bowling is that they are laid out in a diamond formation, with a red pin in the middle. If players knock down all of the pins except the red pin, they’ll score 12 points compared to 9 for only knocking all of the pins down.
What ball is used?
A ball of similar size and weight to a 10-pin bowling ball, which also includes finger holes.
What pins are used?
Pins are a similar size and shape to 10-pin bowling, with one red pin placed in the center of the formation.
How many frames are in each game?
There are six frames in a game.
How many turns are in each frame?
Each player gets two turns, even if the pins are all knocked down.
Why should you play?
9-pin bowling is a fun team sport, and a great excuse to get everyone together.
5-pin bowling
5-pin bowling is commonly played in Canada. In this version of the game, pins are arranged in a triangle formation, and each one has a different point value. A hand-sized ball is used to try and knock the pins down.
What ball is used?
A hand-sized ball without finger holes.
What pins are used?
The pins are smaller than those used in 10 and 9-pin bowling, and feature a rubber hand designed to make them move with more force to be able to take out more of the surrounding pins.
How many frames are in each game?
There are 10 frames in each game.
How many turns are in each frame?
Each frame has three turns.
Why should you play?
5-pin bowling requires strategic thinking to help win the different points. It’s ideal if you want to enjoy a new challenge from your bowling game.
Candlepin bowling
Candlepin bowling uses thin pins which are more difficult to knock over, with players given three turns to try and accomplish the task.
What ball is used?
Candlepin bowling balls are the smallest type of bowling ball. They weigh 2lbs, 7oz and have a typical diameter of 4.5”.
What pins are used?
Candlepins are tall and narrow, which makes them difficult to knock over.
How many frames are in each game?
Each game has ten frames, better known as ‘boxes’ in this game.
How many turns are in each frame?
Three, to help knock all of the pins down.
Why should you play?
Candlepin bowling is a lot more challenging than regular bowling, with the highest score ever recorded in a game as 245/300.
Duckpin bowling
Duckpin bowling lies somewhere between 10-pin and candlepin bowling. It uses a similar shape to 10-pin bowling pins, but the ball used is lighter.
What ball is used?
The ball is small and light, weighing around 3.75lbs, and doesn’t contain any finger holes.
What pins are used?
There are ten pins, which are shorter and fatter than regular pins, but they’re also much lighter. The lightness makes it difficult to knock over multiple pins.
How many frames are in each game?
There are ten frames in each game.
How many turns are in each frame?
Three
Why should you play?
Despite the size of the pins, duckpin bowling is very challenging, but it’s also a great game if you prefer a lighter bowling ball.
