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How does candlepin bowling differ from tenpin bowling?
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Tommy Jones competing in the Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions final in Uncasville, Conn., April 1, 2007.
Candlepin bowling differs from the more common tenpin bowling in several key equipment and gameplay mechanics:
- Pins: Candlepin uses slender, cylindrical pins that are tapered at both ends, whereas tenpin uses larger, distinctively shaped pins.12
- Ball Size: The ball used in candlepin is significantly smaller, measuring 4.5 inches in diameter and weighing approximately 2 pounds 7 ounces.12
- Turns per Frame: In candlepin, players are allowed three balls per frame, compared to the two balls typically allowed in tenpin.1
- Deadwood: A unique feature of candlepin is that pins knocked down during a turn—known as "deadwood"—are not removed from the lane until the frame is completed.1
These variations distinguish candlepin as a unique bowling game, despite being played on a standard tenpin lane.1