How to Bowl a 200: Target Scores by Spares and Strikes

Quick table of totals by pattern

Here is the total you get if you bowl the same way in all 10 frames. Because of strike and spare bonuses, your score changes a lot depending on whether you pick up spares, even when you knock down roughly the same number of pins.

A game where you knock down 9 and miss the last pin every time scores 90, but picking up that one pin every time for a spare scores 190. You knock down just one more pin per frame, yet the total jumps by 100. That is because the first ball after a spare counts twice as a bonus.

How many points is one spare or one strike worth?

Say you knock down 9 with the first ball of a frame. Whether you pick up the last pin with the second ball changes that frame's score by the number of pins on the next ball. If the next first ball is also 9, then 9 - scores 9 and 9 / scores 19 — a difference of 10.

• Picking up a spare: the frame is 10 plus the next ball. If the next first ball is 9, that is 10 more than an open frame
• Throwing a strike: the frame is 10 plus the next two balls. If the next frame is 9 /, it is worth 20 — just 1 more than a 9 / frame
• Consecutive strikes: if the next two balls are also strikes, the frame is worth 30. The longer the run, the more each frame is worth

These numbers show that the quickest way to raise your score is not throwing more strikes but not missing spares. A strike may be worth only a little more than a spare, but missing a spare costs about 10 points. For how doubles and turkeys make your score climb so quickly, see the guide to scoring consecutive strikes.

Working out the highest score still possible mid-game

Knowing how high you could still go if you strike out from here tells you whether 200 or a personal best is still in reach. The idea is simple: assume every remaining ball knocks down all the standing pins (a strike on a first ball, a spare on a second ball) and add it up.

In the example with 90 through frame 7, even striking in all three remaining frames only reaches 180. Since 200 is out of reach, it makes sense to switch to a target you can still hit, such as a personal best or 150. On the other hand, 28 after the first two frames still leaves up to 268 possible.

In the Bowling Score Calculator, entering each ball automatically shows the highest score possible if you strike out from here and the score if you shoot 9 / the rest of the way. It is handy for checking your target during a game.

The order to practise in when aiming for 200

1. 1

   First, get your first ball to 8 or 9 pins consistently

   Spares are easiest when only one or two pins are left. Start by using the same starting spot and the same target arrow every time, so your first-ball count is consistent.

2. 2

   Pick up single-pin spares every time

   Decide in advance where to stand when a single corner pin such as the 10-pin or 7-pin is left. All 9 / gives 190, so never missing a single pin is the shortest route to 200.

3. 3

   Count the spares you missed

   After the game, look at the score sheet and count the open frames (frames with no spare or strike). Each one you eliminate adds roughly 10 points.

4. 4

   Treat strikes as a bonus

   Once your spares are reliable, each strike pushes you from 190 into the 200s. Knocking down 9 reliably gives a steadier total than going for strikes and losing control of your first ball.

When you keep records, write down the marks for each frame as well as the total so you can see later where you lost points. For how to write the marks, see the guide to filling in a score sheet.

FAQ

What do you score if every frame is a spare?

It depends on your first ball. Nine and a spare every frame gives 190, and five and a spare every frame gives 150. A spare frame is worth 10 plus the next ball, so the more you knock down with the next frame's first ball, the higher the score.

How many strikes do you need to bowl a 200?

If you pick up every spare, alternating strikes and spares gives 200. Nine and a spare every frame gives 190, so think of strikes as filling in the last 10 points. With many open frames, you may not reach 200 however many strikes you throw.

What is the highest score possible without a strike?

Nine and a spare in every frame, with 9 on the third ball of the 10th frame, gives 190. If your first balls are consistent, you can reach 190 without a single strike.

Is there a way to see my maximum possible score mid-game?

Assume every remaining ball is a strike (or a spare on a second ball) and add it up. In the Bowling Score Calculator, entering each ball automatically shows the highest score possible if you strike out from here.