Ten-pin bowling ball contacts only the 1, 3, 5 and 9 pins; for a left-hander, the 1, 2, 5 and 8 pins. In order to count, a pin must be knocked over entirely. If the pin is wobbling as the automatic pin machine picks it up (or the machine itself knocks over the pin while it is wobbling), it is still considered standing and is not scored. Also, if a pin is moved, it does not change its designation. For example, if the 10 pin were still standing and the 7 pin slid into the 8 pin position, converting this spare would
Bowling pin Bowling pin Bowling pins are the target of the bowling ball in various bowling games including tenpins, five-pins, duckpins, and candlepins. Pin specifications are set by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). World Bowling, formerly World Tenpin Bowling Association, has adopted the USBC specifications. Pins are wide at their widest point and tall. They weigh , pins weighing up to are approved. The weight of the pin was originally based on the idea that a single pin should be around 24 percent the weight of the heaviest bowling ball within regulation, . Duckpins are shorter and squatter than standard tenpins.