If you love to bowl and are well-versed in the different types of bowling styles, then you will most definitely know what candlepin and duckpin bowling are. If you are new to bowling or just someone who bowls recreationally, and you’re sitting there wondering what on earth these terms mean, then don’t worry; we’ve got your back!
Candlepin and duckpin bowling are two of the most recognizable types of styles.
Over the years, you may have only come across the popular ten-pin style, but these two offer fun variations of the game that we love playing so much!
While they aren’t the most popular throughout the country, they are played in certain parts of the world! But enough of me blabbering. Let’s dive right into candlepin vs. duckpin bowling!
What Is Duckpin Bowling And Candlepin Bowling?
Duckpin bowling is a variation of traditional bowling, mainly popular in the northeastern United States and some parts of Canada. It uses smaller squat pins and bowling balls that strangely don’t have any finger holes in them.
In Duckpin bowling, players have three rolls per frame to knock down pins arranged in a diamond shape.
The pins are reset after each round, but the smaller pins and ball offer quite a unique challenge, making it much harder to achieve strikes and spares than the standard ten-pin bowling.
Candlepin bowling is mainly played in the New England region of the United States and some parts of Canada. It uses smaller cylindrical pins and a smaller and lighter ball that also doesn’t have finger holes.
The pins are set in a triangular shape, and players have three rolls per frame to knock down as many pins as possible.
But the interesting thing about candlepin bowling is that once the pins are knocked down, they are not cleared between rounds. In fact, this is integral to the game, as the way the pins fall and roll can greatly influence the game.
Candlepin Vs. Duckpin Bowling- Which One Is Better?
The question of whether candlepin or duckpin bowling is better depends purely on your own personal preferences when it comes to playing. Let’s take a look at some important factors to consider when comparing these two:
- Candlepin offers a unique challenge due to the smaller cylindrical pins. However, duckpin bowling pins are even smaller than candlepins and are nowhere near as smooth, making them a lot trickier to crush.
- Candlepin bowling has ten pins, just like the standard bowling games. Duckpin bowling, on the other hand, has only eight pins, making strikes easier, but spares not so much.
- In Candlepin bowling, if you knock the first center pin down, followed by any single pin behind it, all ten pins are considered strikes (that’s a big score). But in duckpin bowling, all pins must be knocked down by the ball.
- Candlepin bowling is usually played in the New England region, while Duckpin bowling is played more often in the northeastern parts of the United States. Both, however, can be found being played in various parts of Canada.
Ultimately, the choice between duckpin and candlepin bowling comes down to personal preference and the type of bowling experience you want.
Some people enjoy the strategy and different styles of candlepin bowling, while others appreciate the challenge that duckpin bowling offers.
Why not try both and see which one is best suited to your individual taste? Who knows, you might even enjoy both equally!
5 Tips For Playing Duckpin And Candlepin Bowling
Now that you’re significantly intrigued (we hope) by duckpin and candlepin bowling, you’ve probably noticed how different they are from the ten-pin type you’ve become so accustomed to.
Let’s be honest; you could probably play that version with your eyes closed. But don’t worry, if you’re still a little confused still on these alternatives, we’ve got you!
Check out these 5 tips below, and you’ll be scoring strikes and spares like an absolute pro in no time:
Take Your Time
Remember, this is not your traditional 10-pin bowling, so don’t go sprinting across the lane and shooting your bowling ball towards the pins with the force of a jetpack. Duckpin and candlepin bowling require a slow and steady motion.
Controlled and deliberate shots in these games can lead to more accuracy and control. Rushing can lead to poor shots and failure to score high points, and nobody wants that.
Be Careful With The Pins
No doubt, the first thing you notice is that in both duckpin and candlepin bowling, the bowling pins are much smaller than traditional ones. That’s why you need to keep a close eye on them to make sure your aim is accurate.
In candlepin, always aim for the first headpin to give you that high score, but for duckpin, try to knock all 8 pins down in one go, giving you a full score guaranteed to make your competitor envious. It’s really quite simple once you get a hold of the game.
Prediction Really Helps
Observing the way the pins react after each roll can help you adjust your next shot. So keep your eyes peeled for every shot you make and watch how the ball hits the pins because that’s going to be integral to your success.
Pay attention to how they fall and start making adjustments according to your angle and targeting. When you do that, it’ll be hard to miss any shot.
Avoid Gutters
This tip is important for all forms of bowling, but it’s especially important for duckpin and candlepin due to the shorter and narrower lanes. Focus on consistent ball delivery and maintaining complete control to stay in the middle of the lane and prevent your ball from drifting into the gutters.
Practice, Practice, And Practice
Whether you’re playing standard 10-pin bowling or these fun variations, you must practice. “Practice makes perfect” may be an old and often repeated saying, but it’s still just as true, especially when it comes to bowling. The more you practice, the more you will excel in whichever variation you choose.
By working on your technique, accuracy, and shot consistency, you will see gradual improvements in your performance, and it won’t be long before you can call yourself a pro.
FAQs
How Similar Are Candlepin And Duckpin Bowling?
Ans: Both candlepin and duckpin bowling use smaller pins that are uniquely shaped, along with a smaller and lighter bowling ball with no finger holes. However, they differ in shape and other features.
Candlepin uses cylindrical pins and does not reset knocked-down pins between rolls, while duckpin uses squat pins after each player’s turn. This gives the player different challenges and strategies for each game.
Is Candlepin Bowling Easier Than 10-Pin Bowling?
Ans: Standard 10-pin bowling is considered to be easier than candlepin bowling. This is because candlepin bowling uses small cylindrical pins and has a lack of finger holes in the bowling ball itself.
The pins are not cleared after they’re knocked down, which makes it harder to get higher scores.
Is Duckpin Bowling Easier Than 10-Pin Bowling?
Ans: Duckpin bowling is generally considered to be more difficult than 10-pin bowling. This is because, like candlepin, duckpin bowling uses smaller pins, smaller bowling balls, and shorter lanes, which makes it harder to achieve a high score.
While strikes can be easy to achieve, spares can be a lot trickier. Also, in duckpin bowling, players need to adjust their techniques and strategies according to their specifications.
Are Duckpin and Candlepin Balls the Same?
Ans: No, duckpin and candlepin bowling balls are not the same. While they are smaller and don’t have finger holes compared to standard bowling balls, there are differences in weight and sometimes size. Duckpin bowling balls are larger and heavier than candlepin bowling balls.
Is Mini Bowling the Same as Duckpin?
Ans: No, mini-bowling is not the same as duckpin bowling. Mini bowling refers to a scaled-down, miniature version of standard bowling.
But duckpin bowling is a different type of bowling with its own individual rules, with shorter and wider pins and smaller bowling balls without any finger holes. Duckpin bowling is played mostly in the northeastern United States and some parts of Canada.
Is It Possible to Get a Duckpin Bowling Strike?
Ans: Yes, it is certainly possible to get a duckpin bowling strike. A strike in duckpin bowling means knocking down all 10 pins with a single shot, just like other forms of bowling.
Due to the smaller and different types of balls used in duckpin bowling, getting a strike needs accurate shots and powerful pin action.
Conclusion
We hope you leave here feeling a lot more informed on the differences between candlepin vs duckpin bowling! Both of these unique and fun variations require a lot of practice, precision, and finesse to master, but the payoff is just as much fun as the standard ten-pin bowling!
Whether you’re somebody who wants to play these for fun or hone your skills to compete in tournaments, you should, without a doubt, give duckpin and candlepin bowling a try!