About This Format
Pin-Bowling applies the frame-by-frame scoring structure of bowling to pinball. Instead of playing a full game on a single machine, players move through a series of "frames" on different machines, with scoring modelled after bowling's strikes, spares, and open frames.
How It Works
A standard Pin-Bowling game consists of 10 frames, just like bowling. In each frame, the player plays one ball on a machine and tries to reach a target score. If they reach the target on their first ball, it's a "strike." If not, they play a second ball — reaching the target on the second ball is a "spare," and failing to reach it is an "open frame." Scoring follows bowling conventions: strikes and spares earn bonus points from subsequent frames.
TGP Calculation
Each bowling-style game played counts as 1/3 of a meaningful game for IFPA TGP purposes. A full 10-frame game typically results in roughly 3.33 to 4 meaningful games depending on the number of strikes (which add bonus balls in the 10th frame). This relatively modest TGP value per game reflects the single-player nature of the format.
Qualifying Only
Pin-Bowling is designated as a qualifying format. To earn IFPA endorsement, it must be paired with a separate finals stage involving direct player-vs-player competition.