tenpin

Tenpin, commonly referred to as ten-pin bowling, is a sport in which players roll a bowling ball along a lane to knock down ten pins arranged in a triangular formation. The standard form is played indoors in bowling centers, using automated pinsetters and scoring systems. Equipment includes a bowling ball, typically with three finger holes, pins standing on a flat approach, and a wooden or synthetic lane with a designated foul line and gutter areas.

A game consists of ten frames. In each frame, a bowler has up to two chances to knock down all ten pins. A strike occurs when all pins are knocked down with the first ball of a frame, awarding ten points plus the total pins knocked down on the next two balls. A spare is achieved when the remaining pins are knocked down with the second ball, awarding ten points plus the number of pins from the next ball. An open frame yields the total pins knocked down in that frame. The standard professional game uses ten frames and a maximum score of 300, achieved by striking in all frames.

The sport originated in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with standardized equipment and rules developed by national governing bodies such as the American Bowling Congress, the National Bowling Council, and later the United States Bowling Congress. Tenpin bowling has since become an international activity, organized at the global level by World Bowling and supported by national associations. Professional competition includes tours organized by bodies such as the Professional Bowlers Association, along with numerous amateur leagues and championships worldwide.

Tenpin is widely played for recreation and competition, with varying lane conditions, oil patterns, and formats that influence strategy and scoring. It remains a popular indoor sport in many countries, appealing to a broad range of ages and skill levels.