Scoring

There are three pin values in 5 pin bowling ...

• 5 points: the middle, or head pin
• 3 points each: the adjacent pins on either side of the head pin
• 2 points each: the two end pins

... for a total of 15 possible points.

A perfect game consists of 12 consecutive strikes - this would score a 450 game.

You may throw up to three balls in a single frame in an effort to knock down all 5 pins. In the tenth frame, you throw three balls regardless of whether you get strikes or a spare within the frame.

Strikes

A strike is scored when all five pins are knocked down with the first ball. Scoring a strike in a frame allows the bowler to add points from the next two balls thrown.The maximum that can be scored in a frame which contains a strike is 45 (15+15 from strike in subsequent frame one +15 from strike in subsequent frame two).

Spares

A spare is scored when all five pins are knocked down with the first 2 balls. Scoring a spare in a frame allows the bowler to add points from the first ball thrown in the following frame. The maximum that can be scored in a frame which contains a spare is 30 (15+15 from strike in subsequent frame).