Ninepin

Ninepin is a traditional bowling-type game in which players roll a ball to knock down nine wooden pins set on a lane. It is one of the older forms of bowling in Europe and exists in numerous regional variants, some of which continue to be played as competitive sports.

Ninepin uses a smaller ball than ten-pin bowling; in most variants the ball has no holes and is rolled by hand. Pins are typically wooden and arranged in a fixed formation that varies by variant, often described as a diamond or arc. Games are played in turns called frames, with players attempting to knock down as many pins as possible. Scoring systems differ by country and form, ranging from simple pin counts to more structured frame-based scoring with bonuses for certain outcomes.

Origin and regional spread: Ninepin has medieval roots in Europe and has been especially prominent in German-speaking and Central and Eastern European countries. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was widespread but faced periodic bans in some jurisdictions due to gambling or public order concerns. Today it survives mainly in clubs, pubs, and national leagues in several countries, sometimes under the name Kegeln or Kegelspiel in German-speaking areas.

Governing bodies and competition: International and regional bodies oversee ninepin competitions, and world and continental championships are held under the sport's federations. The exact rules and formats are governed by national associations and by the relevant international federation, leading to several variants in play.

Cultural note: Ninepin has influenced the development of bowling games and remains part of cultural heritage in some regions, commonly linked to social clubs and local tournaments.