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Thread: Is there such thing as a true tap?

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    Default Is there such thing as a true tap?

    I say no. I truly believe that there is a reasonable explanation for everything in bowling. It is afterall, just physics. Even the solid 8, (for a right handed bowler) which many consider to be the only true tap, can be explained as to why it was left standing. It was obviously a less than perfect shot, even though it may look perfect. So is a tap more of a way for people to vent that they got "robbed", or do you believe that you deserve what you get?

    For example, I left (2) 8-10's during league, and at first I was ticked off because it was a nice, driv.ing shot into the pocket. Everyone said I was robbed. I think I came in a tad wide with a nice angle into the pocket that drove the 5 pin straight back.

    Bowling is funny in the way that sometimes the "not so good" shots strike, and the "text book" shots leave a pin or worse. But to me, that's what makes bowling fun. You never know. It's a constant challenge.

    This might get interesting. Let's hear it.
    Last edited by Eddy; 10-07-2017 at 11:12 PM.

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    This is one of those questions where I can see your point, but not anything to be gained from the discussion. Most of us over a certain age can't see if the pins are not quite right from 70-75 feet away, and usually aren't paying enough attention to do more than notice if a pin is missing. Any cause other than a bad rack is human inconsistency. Those who take the sport seriously will observe the ball reaction and adapt. Those who treat it as just a game will just say they got robbed, and you will never, ever be able to convince them otherwise. I've even had right handers who believed they should have gotten a strike hitting the 1-2 pocket.

    That brings me to my other point. How many times have you seen a poorly thrown ball strike? Whether it's a straight shot 18mph that is just slightly off center on the head pin or big curve that goes Brooklyn, I see a good number of these bad ball strikes every week. If I can have good luck and strike on a bad shot, can't there be bad luck on a good shot?
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    Quote Originally Posted by Eddy View Post
    I say no. I truly believe that there is a reasonable explanation for everything in bowling. It is afterall, just physics. Even the solid 8, (for a right handed bowler) which many consider to be the only true tap, can be explained as to why it was left standing. It was obviously a less than perfect shot, even though it may look perfect. So is a tap more of a way for people to vent that they got "robbed", or do you believe that you deserve what you get?

    This might get interesting. Let's hear it.
    Well the subject has been discussed many times and the consensus pretty much is, No there are no true taps (A "TAP" is a pin left standing (Usually the 8 or a 9 for a righthander) on a apparently good strike hit.) in bowling.

    There is a reason the pin was left standing and it's usually related to how the ball was coming in to the pocket.

    So yes calling it a "Tap" is just basically a way for the player to vent on getting robbed on what they thought was a good hit.
    Last edited by bowl1820; 10-07-2017 at 11:30 PM.

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  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by bowl1820 View Post
    Well the subject has been discussed many times and the consensus pretty much is, No there are no true taps (A "TAP" is a pin left standing (Usually the 8 or a 9 for a righthander) on a apparently good strike hit.) in bowling.

    There is a reason the pin was left standing and it's usually related to how the ball was coming in to the pocket.

    So yes calling it a "Tap" is just basically a way for the player to vent on getting robbed on what thy thought was a good hit.
    I agree.

  5. #5

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    Even though a shot I made recently has nothing to do with a tap, I went high on my first ball and hit the headpin, missed the 3 barely and left six pins standing. I think I took out the 1, 2, 5 and 8. I've never seen anything like that before and don't want to see it again!

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    Yes there is such a thing as a tap. Why is it that bowlers forget the light hits, and all the other iffy hits when they carry and forget but hit one good one and "I was robbed"
    Some people just have the type of game that allows them to carry lots of off hits and others couldn't carry as many if they hit the pocket on every ball.
    As to the 1-2-5-8 I have seen it come up a couple of times a year. It seems to happen to better bowlers more than not so good ones.

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    Bowling Guru Amyers's Avatar
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    I think most shots have an explanation for them in modern bowling. It is sad to see that most bowlers bemoan the good shot that doesn't strike but act like the high pocket shot that tripped out a 4 pin was a great shot.
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    One thing that is missing is the assumption the pins are all where they should be. I have seen many offset racks. This will allow me to hit well and leave pins. In strict definition it may not be TAP but it does allow me to cuss quietly the results.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ChuckR View Post
    One thing that is missing is the assumption the pins are all where they should be. I have seen many offset racks. This will allow me to hit well and leave pins. In strict definition it may not be TAP but it does allow me to cuss quietly the results.
    Agree 100% on the offset racks I went thru that last Thursday night
    on league you could stand there and re-rack 5 times or more and still
    not get a good looking rack to shoot at.
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    I think there are more light/high hits that carry a strike than to the the solid 8 or 9 pin and they say dam that was buried. So when a good game is spoiled by the 8 or 9 "taps" they seem to forget the carries that maybe shouldn't have carried.
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