What constitutes a "clean" game - (n00b Question)

[bowlerRob2]

Spare shooting requires a different kind of consistency. The strike ball, you throw every time on the 1st ball so you should be getting pretty good at it after some time. On the other hand different spares require entirely different approaches, releases (sometimes) and balls. So I guess what I am saying is that in the course of a 3 game series, you get at least 30 shots at the strike pocket. That's a lot of practice every night. But you might only get 1 or 2 or 3 10 pins to shoot at. Or 1 or 2 7 pins, or a 1 dinner bucket or 1 sleeper, etc... all of which require different shots. That is why I place such a high value on spare shooting (not necessary to devalue strike shooting).

[Aslan]

Think how much the chicks will dig the ring when you get it though. They won't care you average 130. Maybe you could get an 800 series coat off ebay as well.

I don't know. I think chicks stopped digging jewelry on men back in the late 80s.

[Mudpuppy]

I don't know. I think chicks stopped digging jewelry on men back in the late 80s.

So they wouldn't dig my mr. t starter kit of fake 14k gold necklaces there in cali? I just finished shining them up for my trip there in February too.

[vdubtx]

So they wouldn't dig my mr. t starter kit of fake 14k gold necklaces there in cali? I just finished shining them up for my trip there in February too.

Not for 14k they wouldn't. Now, with 18k+ we are talking about 4 ladies on each arm.

[Aslan]

I have to admit...after coming ONE FRAME away from a clean game THREE times yesterday while practicing...I have to agree with Iceman on the point that clean games do not = high scores. I mean, I had three near clean games and scored like 189-177-184.

The 189 REALLY annoyed me...because I picked up a 5-10 split in the 5th or 6th frame to preserve my clean game...then missed a 3-8 sleeper in the 9th. Since I always seem to hit just the front or just the back of sleepers...I tried to throw my spare ball straight at them and missed about 5 inches left of center...went right by both of them.

The first 6 of 9 games I just couldn't seem to strike, so I got a LOT of spare practice in!

[Perrin]

string Strikes for high scores
Spares are for average.


Noone in their right mind would tell you to try to get a spare every frame, but being able to cover the spares is what gives you a better average.

X 9-....... 10 frames is a 140
X 9/....... 10 frames is a 200

5 spares - 60 pins

also of interest is that first scenario is also true if you replace all the strikes with Spares..... so unless you string them together a spare can very well be as good as a strike

[MICHAEL]

string Strikes for high scores
Spares are for average.


Noone in their right mind would tell you to try to get a spare every frame, but being able to cover the spares is what gives you a better average.

X 9-....... 10 frames is a 140
X 9/....... 10 frames is a 200

5 spares - 60 pins

also of interest is that first scenario is also true if you replace all the strikes with Spares..... so unless you string them together a spare can very well be as good as a strike

WHAT???? LOL,,,,, aaaaaa, what are you saying?? I am lost ( with the math!!

[Perrin]

WHAT???? LOL,,,,, aaaaaa, what are you saying?? I am lost ( with the math!!

lol sorry
if you throw a strike followed by an open (9- in my example) for the whole game it's only a 140 game (each 2 frames is worth 28 pins)
if you throw a strike followed by a spare (9/ in the example) for the entire game you end with a 200 game. (each 2 frames is worth 40 pins)

so converting those 5 (9-) to 5 (9/) is worth 60 pins This is an extreme example but even for lower average bowlers converting a spare vs having an open is usually worth at least 6 extra pins per spare.

If in the first game you replace the strikes with spares (so 9 spare followed by 9 open the whole game) it would be the same score
on the other hand If you string all 5 strikes together followed by the 5 opens you would shoot 183.

I tell the new bowlers I bowl with that the quickest way from 100 average to 140 is to focus on hitting the pocket. To get from 140 to 180 is focusing on spare shooting. above that you start to consider adjustments to get better carry on your strike ball.

[vdubtx]

Yup, each spare missed is a minimum loss of 10 pins each frame.

[Aslan]

Yup, each spare missed is a minimum loss of 10 pins each frame.

What I hate is when I get a spare, then throw a - /. That gutter with the first throw cost me not only 10 pins from the frame before it...but the 2 frames of pins after it had I thrown the strike to begin with. DOHT!