How Many Frames in Bowling? 10 Explained

By Sarah Miller · May 19, 2035

In a standard game of bowling, there are 10 frames. Each player gets up to two chances per frame to knock down all ten pins, with the 10th frame allowing up to three rolls if strikes or spares are achieved.

Understanding the Structure of a Bowling Game

Bowling is structured around 10 frames, each representing one round of play. The objective in each frame is to knock down all 10 pins using no more than two balls—except in the 10th frame, which has special rules for bonus rolls.

How Frames Work in Practice

A frame consists of one or two deliveries (rolls).
If all pins are knocked down on the first roll, it's a strike.
If all pins are cleared on the second roll, it's a spare.
If pins remain after two rolls, it's an open frame.
The 10th frame allows a third roll if a strike or spare is scored.

Scoring Rules by Frame Type

The scoring system rewards consecutive strikes and spares. Bonus points are awarded based on subsequent rolls, making strategy important throughout the game.

Strike Scoring

When a player scores a strike, they receive 10 points plus the total of their next two rolls as a bonus. This can lead to high-scoring games when multiple strikes are rolled consecutively (a “turkey” for three in a row).

Spare Scoring

A spare earns 10 points plus the value of the next roll. For example, a spare followed by a 7 on the first ball of the next frame adds 7 bonus points.

Open Frame Scoring

An open frame simply adds the number of pins knocked down in both rolls. No bonus points are awarded.

Detailed Breakdown: Rolls Per Frame

While most frames allow only two rolls, the final frame differs due to potential bonus shots. Here’s how many rolls are permitted per frame:

Frame Number	Type of Frame	Maximum Rolls Allowed	Scoring Notes
1–9	Regular Frame	2	Strike or spare ends the frame early; open frame uses both rolls
10	Final Frame	3	Three rolls allowed if first is strike or second results in spare

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights that frames 1 through 9 follow consistent rules, while the 10th frame introduces flexibility to accommodate bonus rolls. This design ensures fair scoring for strikes and spares at the end of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowling Frames

How many frames are in a standard game of bowling?

There are 10 frames in a standard game of bowling. Players get up to two rolls per frame for the first nine frames, and up to three in the 10th if they score a strike or spare.

Why does the 10th frame allow three rolls?

The 10th frame allows a third roll after a strike or spare so that the bonus points for strikes and spares can be properly calculated, maintaining consistency in scoring rules across all frames.

Can you bowl more than 10 frames in a game?

No, a regulation game consists of exactly 10 frames. However, in case of a tie in match play or tournament settings, extra frames may be used as tiebreakers, but these are not part of the standard game.

What happens if you don’t knock down all the pins in a frame?

If you fail to knock down all the pins in two rolls, it’s called an open frame. You earn points equal to the number of pins knocked down, but no bonus points.

Is it possible to have more than 10 rolls in a single game?

Yes, because each of the first nine frames allows up to two rolls (max 18), and the 10th frame allows up to three, a perfect game includes 12 rolls—12 strikes in total.