How to Keep Score in Bowling

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Follow these steps to keep your own score while you knock down the pins.

Step 1: Fill in names on the scoring sheet
Fill in the names of the bowlers on your scoring sheet in the order they will be bowling. Notice that each bowler has 10 scoring squares after their name – one for each frame.

Step 2: Note pins downed in first roll
Record the number of pins that the bowler knocks down in their first roll in the upper-left corner of the square for frame no. 1. Use an X instead of a number to denote a strike, and go on to the second frame without recording a total.

Tip
Circle this first number to indicate that the bowler threw a split.

Step 3: Record second roll
Mark the number of pins knocked down in the second roll in the small square in the upper-right corner. Use a slash to denote a spare.

Step 4: Add total pins and write in bottom of square
Add the total number of pins downed in the frame if the bowler didn't throw a strike or a spare. Record this number in the bottom part of the square.

Step 5: Wait to total the frame
Wait until the next frame to calculate the total if the bowler throws a strike or a spare. They will get credit for pins in the next frame.

Step 6: Add next throw to first frame for spare
Add 10 to the number of pins knocked down in the bowler's first throw of the second frame if they threw a spare in the first frame. Write this total in the bottom part of the first frame square.

Tip
Two strikes in a row are known as a double. Three in a row is a triple or a turkey. Throw 12 strikes in a row to get a perfect score of 300.

Step 7: Add next two throws to first frame for strike
Combine the total number of pins knocked down in the two throws of the second frame if the bowler threw a strike in the first. Then add 10. Write this number in the bottom of the first frame square.

Tip
A bowler gets a third ball if they throw a spare or a strike in the 10th frame.

Step 8: Add total for all frames to get the total game score
Add together the total score for each of a bowler's 10 frames to get their final game score. The highest score wins!

Did You Know?
The Professional Bowlers Association, formed in 1958, has over 4,300 members and awards over $9 million in prize money.