What is a Spare in Bowling?

If you’re just starting your bowling career, you might be feeling a little confused or overwhelmed. Are you looking up at the screen and wondering what all of those numbers and symbols mean? Are you asking yourself, “Why is there an ‘X’ on the board? What about the slash mark?”

If you’re confused or just want to learn more about bowling, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, we’ll discuss the different bowling scores and what they mean, but we’ll focus on one particular term that can be confusing: the spare.

What Are the Different Bowling Scores?

When you’re bowling, there are three main scoring terms that you need to keep in mind: the strike, the split, and, of course, the spare.

Strike

A strike is when you knock down all ten pins with your first ball. This is indicated by an ‘X’ on the scoreboard. If you get consecutive strikes, you can earn a “double,” a “turkey,” and eventually a “four/five-bagger.” If you get a strike at the end of the game, you get to bowl again, and your next two balls are counted as bonus balls.

Split

A split happens when there is one or more standing pins remaining after your first ball, and you hit the head pin during your first roll. This is denoted by a circle around the pin number on the scoreboard.

A split can be difficult to pick up because the pins can be on opposite sides of the lane, and you usually have to learn a special technique to get the spin just right.

Spare

A spare typically occurs when you knock down the rest of your pins after missing them on the first bowl attempt within the same frame. This is denoted by a ‘/’ on the scoreboard.

How to Get a Spare in Bowling

There are a few different ways that you can get a spare in bowling.

1. The Split Spare: The most common way is by hitting the head pin with your first ball and then knocking down the remaining pins with your second ball. This is called a ‘split spare’ because it starts with a split.
2. The Bounce Spare: Another way to get a spare is by hitting the head pin and having it bounce off one of the side rails and then knocking down the remaining pins. This is called a ‘bounce spare.’
3. The Clean Spare: The last way to get a spare, and arguably the most difficult, is by simply knocking down all ten pins with your second ball. This is called a ‘clean spare’ or sometimes just referred to as a ‘plain old spare.’

No matter how you get your spare in bowling, it’s always a good feeling. If you’re able to string together a few spares in a row, you can really start racking up the points!

Tips for Improving Your Spare Game

Strikes tend to get all the glory, but spares are the real secret to a great score. A game full of spares will always beat a game with a few strikes and a lot of open frames. Ready to level up your spare game? Try these tips!

Adjust Your Stance

Move your feet in the direction of the pin you’re aiming for. If you’re aiming for a pin on the right, shift your starting position slightly to the right. This simple adjustment helps you create a better angle to knock it down.

Aiming Techniques

Don’t just throw the ball and hope for the best! Use the arrows or dots on the lane to aim. For corner pins, like the 7 or 10 pin, aim for the second arrow from the side of the lane you’re on.

Practice Corner Pin Shots

The 7 and 10 pins are the trickiest to hit. Spend some time practicing just those shots. The more you practice hitting those corner pins, the more confident you’ll feel during a real game.

The Hardest Spares to Pick Up

Some spares are so tough they have their own names and reputations. Here are a few of the most challenging ones you might face:

• The 7–10 Split: This is the king of difficult spares, also known as “bedposts.” It happens when you’re left with only the far-left and far-right pins in the back row. Picking this up requires a miracle shot where one pin flies across the lane to hit the other.
• Washouts: This isn’t a true split, but it’s just as frustrating. A washout leaves the headpin standing along with a smattering of other pins, like the 2, 4, and 10 pins. It’s tricky because the headpin often blocks a clean shot.
• Bucket Spares: Imagine a diamond-shaped cluster of four pins, like the 2-4-5-8. It’s called a bucket, and it’s tough to clear all at once. You have to hit the “pocket” just right to get all the pins to fall.

Work on Your Spare Game at Stars and Strikes

If you’re looking to have a premium bowling experience, Stars and Strikes is the place for you. We have state-of-the-art facilities, and our lanes are always kept clean so you can focus on getting that spare. Contact us today to book your lane!