Bowling can be a lot of fun. Did you know that children in the Colonial era bowled, too? e game they played was a little different, though. Instead of going to a bowling alley and using a ball to try to knock down 10 pins, they played a game called Nine Pin. And they played it just about anywhere. ere were tabletop versions as well as bigger versions that they could play outside — no bowling alley or bowling ball required! You just need a ball and nine pins (these can be actual bowling pins, but empty 2 liter soda bottles or even aluminum cans also work.)
Here’s how to play:
Set up nine pins (or bottles or cans) in a diamond-shaped pattern.
In leagues, there are six bowlers per team and six frames per game, but it just takes two people to play.
Each player gets to throw the ball twice per turn (like in 10-pin bowling).
If the first player does not knock down all the pins, they are not reset or stood back up. e next player on the team tries to knock down the pins that are left.
The team records their points when all the pins are knocked down, all but the middle pin is knocked down or all the team members have bowled for the frame. Every pin is worth one point.
At the end of six frames, the team with the highest score wins.
Keeping Score:
Ringer – When all nine pins are knocked down with one ball, it is marked by circling the nine on the scoreboard and by placing an “l” above the bowler’s name.
12-Ringer – When all but the middle pin is knocked down with one ball. It is marked by circling the 12 on the scoreboard and by placing a “T” above the bowler’s name.
Split – is is any set up of two or more pins that the bowling ball is able to t between without hitting the pins, without the head pin standing. If all the pins are picked up by the same player, put an “S” above the bowler’s name.
