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
Ten-pin bowling a "shovel-pitch" from the side. A conventional bowling ball is designed to roll about a generally horizontal axis, and often the core is asymmetric so that the ball can hook naturally. However, in parts of Asia, the "spinner", "helicopter" or "UFO" release is more common. A ball spinning about a generally vertical axis of rotation spins like a top down the lane, and slides straighter, regardless of oil pattern. The ball takes an unconventional path along the front pins ("deflection"), creating domino effect pin action. The spin is generated by rotating the hand counter clockwise (right-handed bowlers) until the hand