Bowling Fresh

Splits

Bowling splits explained

A split is a leave where the head pin is down and the pins left standing have a gap between them. Some are easy, some are close to impossible, and a few look easy but are not.

What counts as a split

Under the usual ten-pin rules, a split happens after the first ball of a frame when the head pin (the 1) has been knocked down and the remaining pins are separated. That means at least one pin is down between two standing pins, or directly in front of them. The scoresheet marks it with a circle around the pin count, and automatic scoring systems show it with a symbol of their own.

Two points catch out new bowlers:

  • If the head pin is still standing, it is not a split, however wide the gap. A leave such as the 1-2-10 is called a washout. It can look like a split, but it is scored as an ordinary leave.
  • A split is only marked on the first ball. Converting it with the second ball scores as a normal spare.

Splits you can make

Some splits have pins close enough that the ball can hit both, or one pin can be knocked into the other.

Diagrams show the pin deck seen from the approach: the 7 pin is back left and the 10 pin back right. Dark pins are still standing.

Makeable12345678910
2-7Baby split, left sideThe 7 sits behind the 2 with the 4 gone. Line up as for the bucket and let the ball clip the 2 and roll on into the 7.
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3-10Baby split, right sideThe mirror image. Line up as for the 3-6-10 so the ball takes the 3 and rolls on into the 10.
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5-7Center pin and the 7Hit the 5 on its right side so the pin slides left into the 7.
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5-10Center pin and the 10Hit the 5 on its left side so it slides right into the 10.

Splits to play safe

When the pins are side by side and far apart, the only way to make the split is to hit one pin so it flies sideways across the deck into the other. Even skilled bowlers make these rarely. For a beginner, the smart play is often to knock down one pin cleanly and take the pin count.

Diagrams show the pin deck seen from the approach: the 7 pin is back left and the 10 pin back right. Dark pins are still standing.

Take one12345678910
7-10The bedpostsThe two back corners, also called the goalposts. Pick one pin, usually the easier side for you, and count it.
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4-6Side by sideSide by side with the 5 gone. Taking one pin is the usual choice.
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4-6-7-10The big fourThe 4-6-7-10. Aim for one side and take two pins.
Take two12345678910
4-7-10Left corner and the 10Make the 4 and 7 together and leave the 10, or go for the 10 alone. Two pins beats one.

Making the choice

Ask two questions before you throw at a split. Can the ball, or a pin, reach both sides? If so, go for the conversion. If not, which choice gives you the most pins with the least risk? In league play, especially when your team is close, an extra pin or two can decide a game. A chance at a difficult split that ends in the gutter scores nothing.

If you leave the same split again and again, look at your first ball. Many splits come from hitting the head pin too full. A ball that enters the pocket between the 1 and 3 (or 1 and 2 for left-handers) leaves fewer of them.

Leaving fewer splits

  • Aim at the pocket, not the head pin. A ball that hits the 1 pin dead center tends to leave splits.
  • Work on a consistent approach, so your ball reaches the same place more often.
  • Remember that some splits happen even on good shots. Pins bounce in ways no one controls.

For non-split leaves, the spares guide covers aiming across the lane.