Bowling Tips: 3-6-9 Spare System (2024)

Beingable to make spares is very critical in bowling. If you are averaging less than180, making spares is the simplest way to raise your average to the 180 level.Simply picking up spares can add 10, 20, or 30 more point to your final score. The traditional 3-6-9 spare system is the mostwidely taught and easiest system to learn for beginners. While it's not aperfect system for every lane condition or for bowlers of higher skill levels,it's something for the beginner to use and learn.

This system was developed many years ago, and it involves moving your feet righteither three, six, or nine boards from the spot you stood to shoot your strikedepending upon the front pin in the row you're trying to convert. By moving yourfeet that way, you can easily convert most of the spares. It’s as simple asthat. Adjustments begin at the starting place for the strike ball delivery.

In order to use the 3-6-9 system to convertspares, you will need the following: a consistent delivery, consistent aim, andconsistent approach. You aim at the same target arrow and move your feet more to the left or theright depending on which pins are left standing.How far do you move your feet? You move in blocks of three boards. Each threeboard move with your feet will cause your ball to hit the next pin down theline.

4-pin is the keypin = move 6 boards right

7-pin is the key pin = move 9 boards right

Pins Rightof the Center

Converting spares to the right of the head pinrequires one extra step BEFORE you start adjusting. You need to find the10-pin line. This is the line you use to make a 10-pin conversion. You thenadjust your position relative to this line. In the 3 6 9 spare system, you moveright 3 boards for the 6-pin and move right 6 boards for the 3-pin.
10-pin isthe key pin = 3rd arrow, find the board

6-pin is the key pin = move 3 boards right

3-pin isthe key pin = move 6 boards right