With technology making life easier, scoring the game of bowling has become irrelevant. We can go up there and make our best shot with one of our favorite bowling balls and let the computer system take over with scoring the game for us. How does this help you at tournament or even in league trying to get your score above your average? Yes of course we want to strike every frame we bowl but lets face it, it doesn't happen. I wish it would sometimes! OK, so how does scoring work?

This happens when all 10 pins are knocked down on your First throw. You get 10 pins/points, how ever you would like to call it, plus the total of your next 2 shots. Marked as an [X].

A spare is when all 10 pins are knocked down in 2 shots. For a spare you get 10 pins/points plus your very next shot. Ex. 5 pins on your first shot and then get the rest of the pins on your second shot. Marked as 5[/].

An open frame is when a pin or pins are left on the deck. Ex you knock down 7 pins on your first shot and then get 1 pin on your second shot, total is 8 pins/points. Marked as 7[1].

Now if we were to put this all together to score a game how would it look?

-So Frame 1 we got a Strike which will be ten plus your next 2 shots. So we got 5 down and then spared the frame, 10+5+5=20 for frame 1.

-Frame 2 we got 5 spare, 5/, so that is 10 plus your very next shot which we got 7, 10+7=17 plus frame one so 20+17=37 for frame 2.

-We had an open frame 3 so since we got 7,1 which is a total of 8 for the frame, 37+8=45.

-Frame 4 was a Strike so again that is 10 plus your next two shots. Frame 5 was another Strike for a Double. So far we have 10+10+?. Frame 6 we had another Strike for a Turkey! So back to frame 4 to score. 10+10+10=30. 45+30=75 for frame 4.

-Frame 5 was a strike followed by 1 strike and 6 pins, so 10+10+6=26. 75+26=101

-Frame 6 had a strike followed by 6 pins then 2 pins. So that is 10+6+2=18. 101+18=119

-Frame 7 we had another open going 6,2. 6+2=8. 119+8=127

-Frame 8 we had 9/, so again that is 10 plus our very next shot which was a strike. 10+10=20. 127+20=147.

-Frame 9 we had a Strike so again that is 10 plus your next two shots. So 10+9+0=19. 147+19=166

-Frame 10 we opened, 9-, so 166+9=175 giving us our total score.

Now that you have learned the ways of how to score a game of bowling, the next time you walk into your center and the Computer scoring is down, guess what you still know how to keep score. Yes you may have to do some writing but at least you will have it! Remember to enjoy the game of bowling! Even if you have to write the scores by hand! Always, Practice Practice Practice!