Ten-pin bowling is a target sport where players roll a heavy ball (typically 8–16 pounds) down a smooth, flat lane to knock over ten pins arranged in a triangular formation. The objective is to score points by knocking down as many pins as possible in a series of frames, usually ten per game. A “strike” occurs when all pins are knocked down with the first roll, while a “spare” is achieved by knocking down all remaining pins with a second roll. The maximum score in a game is 300, achieved by rolling 12 consecutive strikes.
The sport is played on a lane approximately 60 feet long and 41.5 inches wide, with gutters on either side to catch errant balls. Modern lanes use synthetic surfaces coated with oil patterns that affect ball motion, adding a layer of strategy to the game. Equipment includes bowling balls, shoes with slick soles for smooth approaches, and sometimes gloves or wrist supports for stability.
