Split (bowling)

A split is a situation in ten pin bowling in which the first ball of a frame knocks down the headpin ("number 1 bowling pin") but leaves standing two or more non-adjacent groups of one or more pins. Scoring a spare in this situation is often referred to as a "killer shot".

Types

7–10 split

File:7-10-split.svg

A 7–10 split

One of the most infamous of splits is the 7–10 split, often called "goal posts" or "bedposts", where the bowler is left with the leftmost and the rightmost pin in the back row (the number 7 and number 10) to knock down with a single ball to achieve a spare. This is also one of the most difficult splits to pick up.

There are two ways to convert this split. The first is to strike either pin and have it bounce out of the pit area and strike the remaining pin. This not only requires substantial ball speed but the pin must be struck in the right spot. Additionally, a pin flying out from the pit is a fairly rare occurrence. The second method is to strike either pin on the inside with enough velocity to bounce it off the side wall (kickback plate) and rebound onto and across the deck into the other pin. Sliding the pin directly will not work since the ball will fall off the lane before it gets far enough aside the 7 or 10 pin to slide it directly across. Despite this fact, many television shows and movies over the years have depicted the 7–10 split being converted by directly sliding one pin into another. In each case, the "conversion" was rigged by either moving the sliding pin over on a deck without pin spots (giving the ball extra room to slide the pin sideways and making it look like the pin was spotted correctly) or by having some help (human or mechanical) from the pit to "slide" the pin over. Barring such "Hollywood magic" in real life, a freak bounce out of the pit or a side wall rebound are the only realistic ways to convert a 7–10 split. Mark Roth was the first bowler to pick up the 7-10 Split on television on January 5, 1980 at the ARC Alameda Open at Mel's Southshore Bowl in Alameda, California.

Other common splits

Cincinnati (7–9 or 8–10)

This is similar to the 7–10, as they are both splits with pins on the back row of the deck. It is also just about as difficult to convert. However, it is possible to slide the 9 or 8-pin into the 7 or 10 pin, but there is only a 0.05 inch (1 mm) margin of error.

(5–7) or Woolworth/Dime Store (5–10)

Similar to a 6–7 split, but since the pins are closer, the 5-pin does not need to be hit at such a fine angle to hit the 7-pin. Another rare method is to deflect an extremely light ball (under 10 lb) off the 5-pin.

Sour Apple, Lily, or Three Wise Men (5–7–10)

Similar to above, one must use a light ball (under 10 lb) to deflect the 5-pin into either the 7- or 10-pin, deflecting the ball into the other back pin. It is also possible to slide the 5-pin into either back pin; with luck, either downed pin (depending on which side the bowler chooses to go) will slide or roll into the third pin. It is among the most difficult splits to convert.

The 5–7–10 is considered the most embarrassing split of all, because not only is it almost impossible to make, it is left by throwing a "flat ball", that is, a shot with no revolutions or action on it.

3–7 split (or 2-10)

Similar to a 5–7 split, but since the 3-pin is two rows ahead of the further from the 7-pin, the ball must hit the right side of the 3-pin at a slight angle.

Baby split (2–7 or 3-10)

This is the easiest split to convert since there are two options: A) sliding the 2-pin into the 7-pin; B) deflecting the ball off the "front" pin. This can be achieved with a ball of any weight since the pins are close enough together.

Cocked Hat or Christmas Tree (2–7–10 or 3–7–10)

This split is basically the Baby Split with the opposite corner pin. The player should ignore that "opposite" pin and play the Baby Split between the pins. With luck, the front pin will be able to slide over to get the other pin.

The Golden Gate (4–6–7–10)

The Golden Gate split (also known as The "Big Four" or "Big Ears" split) consists of the two pins on either side of the pin deck. It is similar to the 4–7–10 and the 6–7–10, as a common attempt to make the split will consist of sliding the 4 or 6 pin into the remaining two pins on the other side (the ball will take out either the 7 or 10 pin). As with virtually all splits, it is possible to make by bouncing a pin out of the pit. An older nickname for this split is "Double Pinochle".

Side-by-Side splits (4–5; 5–6; 7–8; 9–10)

Similar to baby splits because of their close distance from one another, the side-by-side split is almost always made by fitting the ball in between the two pins left standing. A much rarer conversion of the split involves sliding one pin into the other. A similar split (4–5–7 or 5–6–10) should be made the same way. Also called "Fit splits;" the 4–5 was referred to as the "Steam Fitter" on Make That Spare.

Greek Church (4–6–7–8–10 or 4–6–7–9–10)

This split is similar to the Big Four, except there is another pin included (either the 8 or 9 pin). This split is erroneously believed to be slightly easier to convert than the Big Four, because sliding the 6-pin over (for right-handers) will sometimes cause the 6-pin to ricochet off the 9-pin and set a crash course for the 4 and 7 pins. Also "shooting the two" (4-7 for right-handers) can work if the bowler can get the 4 pin to glance/bounce off the front of the 9 pin. Statistical review, however, reveals this shot to be the most difficult shot in bowling for professionals.

The Big Five (3–4–6–7–10 or 2–4–6–7–10)

This split is most easily converted by sliding either the 2-pin (for left-handers) or the 3-pin (for right-handers) into the two pins on the other side of the pin deck. The ball should take out either the 6–10 (for right-handers) or the 4–7 (for left-handers).

The Big Six (2–4–6–7–8–10 or 3–4–6–7–9–10) a.k.a. "Greek Cathedral", "Four Through the Middle" or "The PBA Four" or "Double Trouble"

This split is similar to the Big Five, but is made slightly harder because there is another pin in the back row, creating a split with two pins on one side and four pins on the other. The split should be made with a drastic curve on the back end of the lane, so that the ball can convert the four pins and have the frontmost pin take the two remaining pins out.

Spread eagle (2–3–4–6–7–10)

More common in candlepin bowling (less so in regular ten-pin because of the size of the ball), the spread-eagle results from a bowl that is straight and fast down the middle.

4-7-10 and 6-7-10 Splits

These splits are similar to the 7-10 split, but are easier to pick up because of the extra pin. Always aim for the side with the two pins to ensure a possibility of a pick-up. Note that these splits are identical to the 4-10 and 6-7.

Washouts

Although not a split, as the headpin (1 pin) is still standing, washouts involve a setup of pins which are spaced out, including the headpin. Common examples of the washout include the 1–2–4–10, 1–2–8–10, 1–3–6–7, and 1–2–10. Washouts are easier than most splits, because the headpin is in the front of the pin deck and therefore gives the bowler more room for error. The type of washout one leaves largely depends on if the bowler is left-handed or right-handed. For example, a left-handed bowler would leave washouts such as the 1–3–6–7 and 1–3–7–9, while a right-handed bowler would leave the 1–2–4–10 and 1–2–8–10. Modern variants include the 1-2-4-6-10 and 1-3-4-6-7, where the bowler only picked a single pin out as opposed to the normal two (picked 3 pin for right-handers, 2 pin for left-handers).

Equivalent Splits

Since the pins are set up as an equilateral triangle, identically spaced splits can occur on different parts of the lane. Converting them would be done in the same manner.

• 7–9 = 8–10, 4–6
• 5–7 = 2–6*, 3–4*, 4–9, 5–10, 6–8
• 3–7 = 2–10
• 3–10 = 2–7, 2–9*, 3–8*, 1–4*, 1-6* (technically the last two are not splits)
• 2–3* = 4–5, 5–6, 7–8, 8–9*, 9–10 (known as "Fit Splits")

* denotes uncommon splits not usually seen

Field Goals

In popular culture today, many people will call a ball rolled through the middle of a split (especially the 7-10 split) a "field goal", coming from the fact that in American football, you must kick the ball between two large metal poles to get a field goal.

Splits in Candlepin Bowling

As in the tenpin game, splits can also occur in the New England and Canadian Maritimes-centered sport of candlepin bowling. As candlepin bowling uniquely allows the use of fallen "dead wood" pins to remain on the lane to be used in assisting the felling of standing pins for spare and split conversions, still the most notable split in the candlepin sport is the dreaded "spread eagle", the six-pin leave made up of the 2-3-4-6-7-10 combination, that due to the aforementioned "fit split" status of the 2-3 split in tenpins (but, with the smaller candlepin ball, the 2 and 3 pin can't be hit together with it) and the "spread eagle" almost never occurs in tenpins, with the closest split to it being the 2-(or 3-)4-6-7-10.

In contrast, even more difficult splits such as the infamous 7–10 split may be easier to convert in candlepin, since fallen pins are left on the lane after being knocked down; thus, if enough pins are spread across the lane, a strategically bowled ball could knock the fallen pins into both the 7 and 10 at the same time.

External links

• Mark Roth
• John Mazza
• Jess Stayrook

Recorded 4–6–7–10 split conversions

• Walter Ray Williams, Jr.