Which do you prefer: Strikes with open frames or no strikes with all spares?

[foreverincamo]

Sometimes it doesn't matter. I had a 186 with one open on a pocket 7-10, and followed it with a 3 open ( all splits ) 8 strike game for a 189.

[Mike White]

Yeah, it's a loaded question.

Disregard final score for a minute. Would you prefer a game where you had 6-7 strikes and 3-4 open frames or a game with all spares

Honestly, I'd go for the game with strikes even though you would be considered inconsistent or lucky

I recently had a game consisting of 6 strikes, 4-9 twice, ring 10, and a pocket 7-10 in the 10th frame.

Comparing that to back when I had a hurt arm, I couldn't get the ball to hit with any power, and left weak 10 pins, 5 pins, 7 pins, 2 pins, all day long.

Even though I could easily pick up those spares (averaged 190 in the league) I didn't feel like there was much upside to that way.

I preferred the 10 shots with the potential to carry, with the occasional split/open vs the drudgery of 2-3 strikes at most, and mostly clean frames.

[HughScot]

Open frames are killers for your average. You will not have all strikes and you'd better make your spares.

[Mike White]

Had a guy (about 190 avg) on my Thursday team start out the first game with 47 in the 5th frame.

I jokingly said he still had room to reach 197.

After he threw the next strike, I said "1 down, 6 to go"

He ultimately threw the last 7 in a row to shoot that 197, then started the next game with another 7 in a row for a 242 game.

And finally he saved the best for last, starting off with the first 10 to shoot 285.

As the middle bowling was stringing strikes, I joked with the lead off bowler (170 avg) that he should strike out in the 10th frame on the off chance the middle guy shoots 299, that way we would have a chance to stick him on a bear frame the one time he didn't strike.

We ended up having a chance in the 11th, I struck in the 10th, but left a solid 9 on the 2nd shot.

[NewToBowling]

Ok, may have to change my stance. Just bowled a few games this morning

6 strikes and 3 open frames through 9th = 192 score


4 strikes, 4 spares, and 1 open frame through 9th = 202


Of course 7 straight strikes will help your score, but an open frame really hurt it also

[NewToBowling]

These are my first games since de-oiling the ball a few days ago and ball definitely reacted more. A big difference from just a few nights ago before de-oiling.

But since it was more reactive I did have a hard time picking up spares, especially 10 pin ones.

[Mike White]

These are my first games since de-oiling the ball a few days ago and ball definitely reacted more. A big difference from just a few nights ago before de-oiling.

But since it was more reactive I did have a hard time picking up spares, especially 10 pin ones.

What? No picture of the 112 game to start?

[fortheloveofbowling]

What? No picture of the 112 game to start?

I see you can add also mike.

[NewToBowling]

Nah, 112 game was feeling out lol

[Aslan]

Strikes for me. I'm sick of clean games in the 180's and not stringing together strikes. Funny thing is.. when I can string together strikes, usually my spare shooting is off.

I gotta admit…I was going to annswer all spares…because honestly a clean game EVERY game is my underlying philosophy/goal.

BUT…

…gotta agree with bobfs on this one. With a strike rate that has been in the 10s/20s(%) on many a league night over the past couple seasons…I'd really like to see some strikes for a change.

ALSO…take it from someone with an abysmal strike rate…having lots of strikes and then opening a couple times…no big deal. You're probably still over 200. But if you CAN'T strike…then you not ONLY have to pick up spares…but you have to leave "easy" spares to pick up. All 9 /s are great…I'm still hoping to acheive that feat. But ya wanna know an even HARDER feat?? All 6 /s. Because if you leave more than 3 pins any more often than "occasionally"…you're in for a long and disappointing night…guaranteed.