How does bowling in Leisureplex work? Possible for 3 people to play?

Encrustment

Three of us are thinking of heading to Leisureplex for a bit of bowling. We are total n00bs.

Can three of us play in the one game? ie. buy a one game ticket, and three of us play against eachother?

I would like to sound like I am remotely familiar with bowling before I go in there.

Thanks

dj_

Yep, you pay per bowling lane. Doesn't matter how many people (up to a certain amount, 6 maybe).

Haven't been in a while but you could pay for a certain amount of time, say half an hour or an hour, or pay just for one game. With 3 people you are definitely better off going with the time option as a game shouldn't last too long.

grumula

the prepay option is a tenner for 2 games per person, if there's a rake of ye going it's probably a better option, that way everyone gets a fair turn.

Blood Farts

if its your first time you might find this useful


Rules and regulations[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ten-pin_bowling&veaction=edit&section=17"][COLOR=#0066cc]editbeta[/COLOR][/URL


Lanes in a ten-pin bowling center


The regulations listed here are generally based around regulations set by the United States Bowling Congress[23] and the British Tenpin Bowling Association.[24] These rules are followed by all certified leagues and events, such as tournaments.
This information is clarified by the World Tenpin Bowling Association in its "Statutes and Playing Rules".[25]
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The sport of ten-pin bowling is performed on a straight, narrow surface known as a lane. This bowling lane is 60 feet (18.29 m) from the foul line to the head pin (1-pin). About 15 feet (4.57 m) from the foul line are a set of guide arrows. The lane is 41.5 inches (1.05 m) wide and normally consists of 39 wooden boards (commonly rock maple in the "heads", which is the first 15 feet of lane, and in the pin deck, which begins about 2 feet in front of the head pin; the middle of lane is a softer wood) or a synthetic material. The bowling lane has two sets of approach dots; from the foul line back to the first set of approach dots is about 12 feet (3.66 m) and to the second set of approach dots is about 15 feet (4.57 m) (an additional 3 feet (0.91 m)). Although this figure varies, the lane is protected by about 18 millilitres (0.00063 oz) of oil (also known as "the shot"). PBA events use about 30 millilitres (0.00106 oz) of oil, and PWBA events use 25 millilitres (0.00088 oz). The oil starts from about 4 inches from the foul line and is applied for about 38 feet (11.58 m) down the lane from that point.
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Position of the ten pins from above


USBC rules specify that a pin must be 15 inches (38 cm) tall and about 4.7 inches (12 cm) wide at its widest point, where a rolling ball would make contact. There are additional measurements which delineate the shape. The weight of a single pin must be at least 3 pounds 6 ounces and no more than 3 pounds 10 ounces (1.53–1.64 kg). Within a set of ten pins, the individual weights may vary by no more than 4 ounces (113.4 g), if made from wood or plastic coated, or just 2 ounces (56.7 g) if synthetic. The top of the pin shall have a uniform arc with a radius of 1.273 ± 1/32 inches (32.33 ± 0.79 mm).
The USBC also has regulations governing the weight distribution of the pin from top-to-bottom. Pins are allowed one or two "voids" (holes) in the belly area (which can be viewed if the pin is cut in half from top-to-bottom). The voids are needed to balance the narrower top half of the pin with the wider bottom half. Without them, the pins would be too bottom-heavy to fall properly when struck. In addition, a standard regulation pin may lean no more than 10 degrees off center without falling.
The pins must show the name and mark of the maker, either "USBC Approved" or "BTBA Approved" and appear uniform.
The head pin or 1 pin stands on board 20 of the lane.
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Main article: Bowling Ball
The diameter of the ball is 8.5 inches (21.59 cm)[1] and the circumference of the ball must not be more than 27 inches (0.69 m),[1] and the ball cannot weigh more than 16 pounds (7.26 kg).[1] Generally, the lightest ball available for use is 6 pounds (2.72 kg). The ball must have a smooth surface over its entire circumference except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, holes or indentations made to bring the ball back into compliance with weight-distribution regulations, identification letters and numbers, and general wear from normal use.
For much of the history of bowling, bowling balls were made using a three piece construction method. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, most manufacturers switched to a two-piece method. In response to these innovative ball designs, the American Bowling Congress placed further restrictions on the technical characteristics of the ball such as the radius of gyration and hooking potential.[6]
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A game of bowling consists of ten frames. In each frame, the bowler will have two chances to knock down as many pins as possible with his bowling ball. In games with more than one bowler, as is common, every bowler will take his frame in a predetermined order before the next frame begins. If a bowler is able to knock down all ten pins with the first ball, he is awarded a strike. If the bowler is able to knock down all 10 pins with the two balls of a frame, it is known as a spare. Bonus points are awarded for both of these, depending on what is scored in the next 2 balls (for a strike) or 1 ball (for a spare). If the bowler knocks down all 10 pins in the tenth frame, the bowler is allowed to throw 3 balls for that frame. This allows for a potential of 12 strikes in a single game, and a maximum score of 300 points, a perfect game. The player with the most points at the end of ten frames wins. Although if time runs out before the end of ten frames bowling stops, and the person with the most points wins the game.
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In general, one point is scored for each pin that is knocked over. So if a player bowls over three pins with the first shot, then six with the second, the player would receive a total of nine points for that frame. If a player knocks down 9 pins with the first shot, but misses with the second, the player would also score nine. When a player fails to knock down all ten pins after their second ball it is known as an open frame.
In the event that all ten pins are knocked over by a player in a single frame, bonuses are awarded.

A ten-pin bowling scoresheet showing how a strike is scored

• Strike: When all ten pins are knocked down with the first ball (called a strike and typically rendered as an "X" on a scoresheet), a player is awarded ten points, plus a bonus of whatever is scored with the next two balls. In this way, the points scored for the two balls after the strike are counted twice.

Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)Frame 2, ball 1: 3 pinsFrame 2, ball 2: 6 pinsThe total score from these throws is:

• Frame one: 10 + (3 + 6) = 19
• Frame two: 3 + 6 = 9

TOTAL = 28Two consecutive strikes are referred to as a "double". Some locations still call it a "Hambone" even though that term has been changed to mean 4 strikes in a row by announcers on television. (Four strikes in a row is also referred to as a "Llama.")
A double's pinfall is:
Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (Strike)Frame 2, ball 1: 10 pins (Strike)Frame 3, ball 1: 9 pinsFrame 3, ball 2: 0 pins (recorded as a dash '-' or '0' on the scoresheet) The total score from these throws is:Frame one: 10 + (10 + 9) = 29Frame two: 10 + (9 + 0) = 19Frame three: 9 + 0 = 9 TOTAL = 57Three strikes bowled consecutively are known as a "turkey" or "triple".
A turkey's pinfall is:
Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (Strike)Frame 2, ball 1: 10 pins (Strike)Frame 3, ball 1: 10 pins (Strike)Frame 4, ball 1: 0 pins (Gutterball)Frame 4, ball 2: 9 pins The total score from these throws is:Frame one: 10 + (10 + 10) = 30Frame two: 10 + (10 + 0) = 20Frame three: 10 + (0 + 9) = 19Frame four: 0 + 9 = 9 TOTAL = 78Longer strings of strikes are called by various names, including "-Bagger" (Four Bagger), "Llama" (Four consecutive), and "-Pack" (Six Pack) depending on local use, equipment, and exposure to the sport.[26][27] Recently, the event of bowling four consecutive strikes has also been called a "hambone".[28] Six strikes and nine strikes in a row can also be referred to "Wild Turkeys" and "Golden Turkeys" respectively. Any string of strikes starting in the first frame or ending "off the sheet" (where all of a bowler's shots from a certain frame to the end of the game strike) are often referred to as the "front" or "back" strikes, respectively (e.g. the "front nine" for strikes in frames 1–9, or the "back six" for strikes in frames 7, 8, and 9 with a turkey in the tenth). A "perfect game" or 12 strikes in a row is also rarely referred to as the "Thanksgiving Turkey". A "Clean Game" is a game with strikes or spares in every frame (not counting bonus balls).
A player who scores multiple strikes in succession would score like so: Frame 1, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)Frame 2, ball 1: 10 pins (strike)Frame 3, ball 1: 4 pinsFrame 3, ball 2: 2 pinsThe score from these throws are:

• Frame one: 10 + (10 + 4) = 24
• Frame two: 10 + (4 + 2) = 16
• Frame three: 4 + 2 = 6

TOTAL = 46The most points that can be scored in a single frame is 30 points (10 for the original strike, plus strikes in the two subsequent frames).A player who bowls a strike in the tenth (final) frame is awarded two extra balls so as to allow the awarding of bonus points. If both these balls also result in strikes, a total of 30 points (10 + 10 + 10) is awarded for the frame. Some people call it "striking out", since three strikes in baseball equals an out.I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"][COLOR=#0066cc]citation needed[/COLOR][/URL][/I
A ten-pin bowling scoresheet showing how a spare is scored

• Spare: A "spare" is awarded when no pins are left standing after the second ball of a frame; i.e., a player uses both balls of a frame to clear all ten pins. A player achieving a spare is awarded ten points, plus a bonus of whatever is scored with the next ball (only the first ball is counted). It is typically rendered as a slash on scoresheets in place of the second pin count for a frame.

Example: Frame 1, ball 1: 7 pinsFrame 1, ball 2: 3 pins (spare)Frame 2, ball 1: 4 pinsFrame 2, ball 2: 2 pinsThe total score from these throws is:

• Frame one: 7 + 3 + 4 (bonus) = 14
• Frame two: 4 + 2 = 6

TOTAL = 20A player who bowls a spare in the tenth (final) frame is awarded one extra ball to allow for the bonus points.
Correctly calculating bonus points can be difficult, especially when combinations of strikes and spares come in successive frames. In modern times, however, this has been overcome with automated scoring systems, linked to the pinsetters that set and clear the pins between frames. A computer automatically counts pins that remain standing, and fills in a virtual score sheet (usually displayed on monitors above each lane). However, even the automated system is not fool-proof, as the computer can miscount the number of pins that remain standing.
The maximum score in a game of ten-pin is 300, scored by making 12 strikes in a row. Before 1908, no one ever received an award for a game greater than 298. ABC used to award medals for the three highest individual games rolled in the nation. The number of perfect games bowled during a season first became a problem for American Bowling Congress (ABC) officials in 1908 when the organization was only 13 years old. The crisis struck when A.C. Jellison and Homer Sanders, both of St. Louis bowled 300 games in the same season. Perplexed with the problem of having only one gold medal and unwilling to duplicate the award, the ABC decreed that both had to vie for it in a three-game match at the ABC tournament in Pittsburgh. Jellison, who won the gold, is recognized as the holder of the record for the first perfect game in ABC history without regard as to which feat was performed first. For his accomplishment, Sanders received a silver medal and a place in trivia history. Earnest Fosberg of East Rockford, Ill. bowled the first ever 300, however, no awards were available in 1902.
Jeremy Sonnenfeld of Sioux Falls, S.D. made bowling history on Feb. 2, 1997 when he became the first person ever to roll three certified perfect games in a three-game series. He was not the first person to shoot a 900 series. But it was the first recognized by ABC. ABC has relaxed their criteria for certifying scores in the past few years.
In Britain, the youngest bowler ever to achieve a perfect single game score of 300 (12 consecutive strikes), in a sanctioned competition was 700112000000000000012 years, 700171000000000000071 days old Elliot John Crosby, at AMF Purley in South London, England in the Surrey County trials on January 7, 2006.[29] Crosby beat the previous British 300 shooter record holder Rhys Parfitt by more than a year. Parfitt was 13 years, 4 months when he achieved a 300 point game at the London international tenpin bowling tournament in 1994. In the United States, the youngest ever bowler to achieve this in a sanctioned competition is two-handed bowler Chaz Dennis of Columbus, Ohio. He achieved this competing in the Hillcrest Preps-Juniors league at Hillcrest Lanes in Columbus, Ohio on December 16, 2006, at 700110000000000000010 years, 700188000000000000088 days old. Dennis was 20 days younger than the previous record-holder, Michael Tang of San Francisco, California, who set his record when he was 700110000000000000010 years, 7002108000000000000108 days old competing in the Daly City All Stars Scratch Trios League at the Sea Bowl in Pacifica, California.[30]
Scoring may change from the above for high profile games, non-traditional games (like a 40 frame game), and variations of computer systems from age, manufacturer, or center programming. Televised games score assumes strikes for unbowled frames as needed to score bowled frames. The forty frame game gives bonus points and takes away points depending on frame. Games bowled at the National level typically do not show detail on most shots. Some computer systems will not tally scores if you string strikes to help control nerves. Most scoring modifications are just extensions of the existing rules, and the end result is the same once the game is complete.