fivepin

Five-pin bowling, or fivepin, is a form of bowling that is most common in Canada. It originated in 1909 in Toronto as a gentler variant of ten-pin bowling, designed to be approachable for beginners and efficient for bowling centers. The game uses five pins arranged in a V-shaped formation at the end of a lane. Players roll a small ball that has no finger holes, and the objective is to knock down as many pins as possible.

Equipment and setup are similar to other bowling forms in terms of lanes and pin-setting infrastructure, but the pins, ball, and rules are distinct. The five pins are typically wooden, and the ball is smaller and lighter than a ten-pin ball. Because the ball lacks finger holes, delivery relies on wrist and arm control, as well as direction and speed.

Scoring and play vary by league, but the core aim is to maximize points across a set of frames by knocking down pins. Many leagues recognize marks and bonuses analogous to strikes or spares in other bowling variants, yet formats and scoring details can differ regionally. This flexibility contributes to a range of styles and competitive formats.

Organizations and reach: Five-pin bowling is primarily associated with Canada, where provincial associations coordinate leagues and tournaments and a national body oversees national championships. The sport has remained active since its inception, with youth and adult participation and local clubs in several provinces, especially Ontario and parts of Atlantic Canada.

See also: Bowling, Ten-pin bowling, Duckpin bowling.