Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Understand the score sheet
Step 2:
Bowl and add
Step 3:
Record a spare
Step 4:
Record a strike
Step 5:
Record a tenth-frame spare or strike

2torial #0732:
Learn2 Score a Bowling Game

Knock 'em dead

The two most idiosyncratic aspects of bowling are those multi-colored rental shoes and that often confusing method of scoring. We're confident you can navigate your way through the shoe rental process, but what about all those boxes and numbers on the score sheet? We'll explain how to keep score so that you can concentrate on that other mystery: how to knock down the pins.

Whether you're in a bowling league or just out with friends to have a good time, it might increase your understanding of the sport to become familiar with how a match is scored. Don't worry, it's not as hard as you might imagine. If you know how to add, write, and count, you'll do just fine.

After you've tightened the laces of your shoes and selected a ball, it's time to decide who in your group will bowl first, second, and so on. In the left-hand column of your score sheet, you'll find a place to insert names based on the order selected.

Note: Some bowling alleys may have electronic, computerized scoring systems that do all the tabulating for you, but knowing the pencil and paper method will help you better understand the sport.