It is typically rendered as a slash on score sheets in place of the second pin count for a frame.
A 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 and time-consuming, especially when combinations of strikes and spares come in consecutive 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.
Attempts to convert the 4-5-7 split (right-handed delivery using pearl coverstock bowling ball). Ball approaches at an angle to give the 4-pin enough forward momentum to contact the 7-pin. However, splitting the 4-5 gap too evenly sends the 4-pin sideways toward the gutter without contacting the 7-pin.
A ten-pin bowling score sheet showing how a spare is scored.
Though bowling scores are generally linearly proportional to
strike
frequency, there is substantial variance based on whether the strikes are consecutive, and based on the number of open frames versus spares. In this dataset, such variance can approach 90 pins per set (30 pins per game), shown by the vertical extent of the shaded bar.
