# Bowling accomplishment **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 23, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786 "2012-05-23T03:12:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/1 "2012-05-23T03:12:53Z")
I rolled a 280 on Saturday. My previous high had been a 279, and that was in a tournament, so there was a lot more on the line, then. This was just a random afternoon of fun with the wife. Strike, followed by an 8-spare, and then 10 consecutive strikes. Kind of crazy. At LEAST a couple of lucky shots in there. I bowled five games after that and didn’t crack the 200 mark again that night, but I had a witness, so it happened! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/2 "2012-05-23T11:48:55Z")
That’s great! I’m lucky when I break 100. StG ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/3 "2012-05-23T14:10:57Z")
Awright! I’ve only broken 200 two or three times. I thought for years I didn’t like to bowl and would winge if that was the planned activity. After finding out I was using a ball that was too light I started doing much better and really enjoy it. I can’t imagine what it feels like to roll a 280. Congratulations. (What did your wife bowl that game?) You’ve inspired me. I’m going bowling this weekend! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/4 "2012-05-23T14:40:01Z")
Congrats! I’m impressed, and jealous. I’ve been trying to beat a 221 for nearly 20 years. Bowling more than once every 5-6 years might help. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/5 "2012-05-23T15:00:26Z")
Good on ya with the 280. I rolled a 300 last Sunday in the final sweeper for our league. However, it was no-tap, so it wasn’t for real. Hung a solid 8 in the 6th frame, nailed every other one for real, so if it hadn’t been no-tap, I would have had a 279. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/6 "2012-05-23T16:48:17Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > Awright! I’ve only broken 200 two or three times. > > I thought for years I didn’t like to bowl and would winge if that was the planned activity. After finding out I was using a ball that was too light I started doing much better and really enjoy it. It’s really hard to convince most people that they’re going with too light a ball. If it’s drilled properly for you (and you don’t otherwise have any health issues), the standard I’ve always been taught is that you should have a ball that is at least 1/10th of your weight. Definitely improves your pin carry. > [@](#): > > Congratulations. (What did your wife bowl that game?) I don’t recall, honestly. But I’ve been bowling casually since I was 18 and started in leagues back in 2000, whereas she’s only been bowling on a semi-regular basis for about a year. > [@](#): > > You’ve inspired me. I’m going bowling this weekend! This is never, ever a bad idea! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/7 "2012-05-23T16:49:48Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Congrats! I’m impressed, and jealous. I’ve been trying to beat a 221 for nearly 20 years. Bowling more than once every 5-6 years might help. So, you’re due, right? See you on the lanes this weekend? 🙂 > [@Clothahump](#): > > Good on ya with the 280. > > I rolled a 300 last Sunday in the final sweeper for our league. However, it was no-tap, so it wasn’t for real. Hung a solid 8 in the 6th frame, nailed every other one for real, so if it hadn’t been no-tap, I would have had a 279. I have bowled some of my worst games in no-tap tournaments. Definitely mental. I’ve never been close to a 300 in no-tap. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/8 "2012-05-23T17:06:10Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > Awright! I’ve only broken 200 two or three times. I’ve only done it once. 204, I think. However, I am years away from being even a somewhat regular bowler. > [@Clothahump](#): > > I rolled a 300 last Sunday in the final sweeper for our league. However, it was no-tap, so it wasn’t for real. Hung a solid 8 in the 6th frame, nailed every other one for real, so if it hadn’t been no-tap, I would have had a 279. 279 is amazing, though. Still very impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/9 "2012-05-23T17:33:42Z")
My top is 268, but I’ve probably had as many 199 games as 200 and above (less than 20 of each). Very frustrating. Speaking of no tap, during practice I once bowled, and converted, 20 naked 7 pins in a row, which would be 2 300 no tap games. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/10 "2012-05-23T17:38:37Z")
I probably average in the 90’s, but have scored a 27 before. Needless to say I’m the worlds worst bowler. Of course I only go once every couple of years. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/11 "2012-05-23T17:55:27Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > My top is 268, but I’ve probably had as many 199 games as 200 and above (less than 20 of each). Very frustrating. Speaking of no tap, during practice I once bowled, and converted, 20 naked 7 pins in a row, which would be 2 300 no tap games. There is nothing as frustrating as a 199. It’s not like 200 is actually more than 1 point better than a 199, but it’s that magic line you want to cross. I’ve never bowled no-tap, but I’d do well at it. I throw heavy and if I’d get a little more accurate on the pocket I’d be knocking them all down more often. I pick up the spares well, helped by only having 1 or 2 adjacent pins in the left corner (I’m right handed and can cross the lane on the spare very well). All of the previous tempered by the infrequency of bowling I do, but I’ve always been able to get it back after a few frames. But 200 or more has been elusive, maybe 10 times, and I league bowled for a few years so I had plenty of opportunity. Since my knees have been degrading I’m more stiff legged in the approach and release the ball at a greater height now, and the last couple of times my right hip would hurt when I was done. I must be stressing it to maintain balance without the knee flexing. But anyway, back to the original point, a 199 is as frustrating as it can get. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/12 "2012-05-23T18:20:18Z")
Wow, great game. I don’t play in leagues or anything, but the highest I’ve ever even seen anyone roll is around 250. My personal best is 216 and I’ve only broken 200 3 times in my life. My average is 150-160 and I totally don’t do it the right way. I don’t put my thumb in the hole so I can get more curve on it. It’s horrible form, I’m sure, but it works alright for me. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/13 "2012-05-23T18:23:09Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > It’s horrible form, I’m sure, but it works alright for me. The only truly horrible form is the one you can’t repeat consistently. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/14 "2012-05-23T18:26:48Z")
I knew a guy who bowled three hundred and one. Have you ever known someone that bowled three hundred and lost? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/15 "2012-05-23T19:22:54Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I knew a guy who bowled three hundred and one. > > Have you ever known someone that bowled three hundred and lost? Grandpa, I thought you died years ago! mmm ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/16 "2012-05-23T19:46:04Z")
That is an oldie. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/17 "2012-05-23T20:05:55Z")
What is tap and no tap in bowling? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/18 "2012-05-23T20:10:58Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > What is tap and no tap in bowling? I didn’t know either so I googled it. It looks like a game where if you knock down nine pins on your first ball, it counts as a strike. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/19 "2012-05-23T20:17:04Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I didn’t know either so I googled it. It looks like a game where if you knock down nine pins on your first ball, it counts as a strike. That’s basically it. Leagues and tournaments sometimes do no-tap because it can be more fun for people – especially for folks who have a hard time picking up those corner pins on their spares (the 7 or 10 pin). When a bowler believes he or she has thrown a good shot (“in the pocket”) and yet one pin manages to remain standing, it is sometimes said that they got “tapped.” Hence the “No Tap” reference. You can’t get tapped if you don’t have to pick up that pesky last pin! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786/20 "2012-05-23T20:22:38Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I knew a guy who bowled three hundred and one. > > Have you ever known someone that bowled three hundred and lost? Be careful with that joke, it’s an antique. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowling-accomplishment/622786.md?page=2)