What is a strike in bowling?
A strike in bowling is knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball of a frame. It is marked with an X on the scoresheet and earns bonus points from the next two balls.
A strike scores 10 points plus the total pins knocked down on the next two rolls. That bonus makes strikes very valuable, especially when they come one after another. If a bowler knocks down all 10 pins using both balls in a frame, it is called a spare, marked with a slash, and gets a bonus from the next roll.
To get a strike, right-handed bowlers usually aim for the pocket, the gap between the head pin and the 3 pin, while left-handed bowlers aim between the 1 and 2 pins. Many bowlers curve the ball, called a hook, so it enters the pocket at an angle, scattering pins more effectively.
Bowling slang
Two strikes in a row is called a double, and three in a row is a turkey. A strike where the pins fall very slowly is sometimes called a wall shot or a messenger strike. A frame without a strike or spare is called an open frame.
Did You Know?
The origin of the term turkey may come from the late 1800s, when some alleys reportedly gave a live turkey as a prize for three strikes in a row around holidays.