The recreational and target sport of throwing or rolling down a heavy ball to knock over pins is bowling. The game has been around for centuries and is one of the most democratic pastimes of the Americans.
Bowling allows for the participation of both genders across all ages and skill levels. It encourages a rare social camaraderie and engages people for hours. There are 11,074 bowling alleys in the USA, and new ones are opening up quickly to cater to the requirements of an astonishing 70 million bowlers.
Before the pandemic, the bowling industry was raking in more than $6 billion a year. But the pandemic-induced lockdowns put a dent in the growth of the bowling alleys as they had to be shut down since they weren’t considered ‘essential services.’ Although things are getting back to normal and people are adjusting to the ‘new normal,’ it is hard to say if people will enjoy it sport in groups the same way as before. Luckily, bowlers can visit here and enjoy their favorite game online.
With the online bowling game, you can enjoy a game of bowling regardless of where you are. All you need is your smartphone and a stable Internet connection. There’s no need to make your way through traffic to bowling alleys and share a space with several other bowlers. You don’t have to share bowling shoes with strangers. Put on your virtual bowling shoes and get ready to knock down the pins.
Wondering how online bowling works? Here’s how
It has been a popular sport ever since it hit the shores of America in the 1800s. Since then, different variations of the game have been enjoyed by bowlers. Some popular online bowling game variations include strike zone, cat bowling, Halloween and classic bowling.
Irrespective of what online bowling game version you are playing, the game is divided into ten frames. The primary goal is to knock down as many pins as you can. You’ll have two chances of rolling the bowling ball and knocking down the ten pins or as many as possible. You earn points with each bowling pin that you topple. If you hit a spare or a strike, you even get bonus points.
As you can see, the rules of online bowling games are similar to the game played in bowling alleys. Even in alleys, you’ll score bonus points if you hit a spare or a strike. A strike is when you knock down all the ten pins in the first roll, and it’s typically denoted with an X sign. If you hit a strike, you’ll get ten points plus the total points acquired in the next two rolls. On the other hand, a spare is when you fail to knock down all the ten bowling pins in a single roll but achieve it in your second attempt. It is denoted with the “/” sign. If you hit a spare, you will get ten points plus the number of points you score in the next roll.
If you hit a spare on your last shot, you’ll get an extra shot, and if you hit a strike, you will get two extra shots. In the game of bowling, you can score as high as 300 points. If you score the highest, you win the game.
While the rules are simple, an online bowling game is played slightly differently than the game you play in an alley. You don’t need bowling shoes for starters, and there’s no need to lift heavy balls.
All you will need is your finger. You have to slide your finger to rotate the bowling ball, and once the game begins, you can drag the ball right or left to position it. You’ll find arrows on the ball, which you can tap.
To make it easier for bowlers, the online bowling games come with an anchor showing the general direction the ball will travel once you roll the ball. You can follow the guiding line pointing toward the pins and make your decision. You can slide your finger on the bottom slide to change the ball’s position or move it slightly so that the anchor pointing toward the pins is accurate.
After you have decided on the angle and position of the ball, you have to swipe down and then up to launch the ball. The amount of spin and speed of the ball is determined by the direction and force of your swipe. So, you have to be careful not to overdo it with your swipe, as then the ball will start to spin and rotate out of control.
Practice games or online cash contests?
When it comes to playing online games in the USA, you can indulge in free/practice games or participate in online cash contests. If you are a beginner, you can sign up to play the free bowling games, so get acquainted with how the game works. The more you practice, the more you’ll learn how much to swipe so that the speed and direction of the ball is precise.
As for the cash contests, it is best to participate in contests when you are confident of your bowling skills. These contests can help you win cash rewards and cash prizes, along with an unlimited dose of fun and entertainment. It allows you to meet other online bowlers and learn from them.
However, not all the states in the USA allow cash contests participation. You need to check the rules and regulations of the state you are residing in before participating in online bowling contests or tournaments where you can win real cash.
Wrapping up
The rules of bowling don’t change when you’re playing online. The primary goal of knocking down all the ten bowling pins remains the same, and you must be focused on hitting a strike or a spare to get more points, so if you’re missing the bowling alley action, download online bowling and bring the fun to your fingertips.
