Dec 22, 2008 10:22 AM
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No. This has nothing to do with cricket. Moreover, you can't expect a girl to write anything remotely cricketish. I still do not know what is leg spin or off-stump ( not even sure about hyphen between off or stump ;) ). The bowling I am talking about is much easier a game with players as less as two. The first thing which comes into the mind of many is : weird game which involves money and luck. I do agree that luck plays a great role, but not always. After reading till point, if you still are clueless, let me without wasting more time get into the details.
WHAT IS BOWLING?
Bowling is a game in which players attempt to score points by rolling a bowling ball along a flat surface either into objects called pins ( shaped like opaque, white bottle) or to get close to a target ball. Usually, there are 10 pins.
HOW DO YOU PLAY IT?
There are 10 “frames”, (i.e. turns you get) in a bowling game. In each frame, you have two chances to play. The pins that are not knocked on first chance can be done at the second chance. And your points are based on number of pins you knock at these two chances. Then it is the turn of another player.
If you knock all pins at one go (the first chance itself), it is called as strike. If you knock all the pins within one frame ( for instance 6 at one chance and 4 at the second chance) it is called as half strike. Before playing the game, you must ask for bowling shoes for yourself. These special shoes are worn for two reasons - one being that the wooden ground is polished and somewhat slippery and there are chances of falling down. These provde you with a grip. The second reason being that the bowling ball is heavy and if it drops on his or her foot, then God save them.
The ball can weigh anything between 6-15 pounds (i do not know how many kilos in India). Women and children go for lighter ones while men prefer the heavier ones. Surprised? Chldren here, right from the age of 12 years play this game.
Often people commit the mistake of trying to throw the ball with an aim at the pins. But one should not look at the pins but arrows gievn at the wooden floor and throw it on the arrow mark. That will set the ball rolling at the right direction. Experts usually run a bit and spin the ball a bit.
WHAT DO FIRST-TIMERS FEEL?
1) All Eyes on Me: Unfortunately, curious eyeballs rest on others, you would feel that everyone is watching you strike and that makes you more nervous.Truth is that good players pretend not to notice you and most of them do not even notice you since they are busy concentrating on their game.
2) The guy playing at the next row plays too well: I bet, had they been not too good, that would have given you much confidence, but they play well that it puts you to shame. Truth- you are more upset with yourself that you do not see him or her playing badly. Comeon, its not their first time. If you still feel lost, search for someone who is worse than you, your confidence would run back to you :)
3) losing patience after three frames because you do not play well: That is the base, the worse you play, the more you notice your competitor. Do not feel shy, ask your friend who is playing with you. he or she would surly teach you. Nothing makes you happier than giving that winning strike.
4)Not worth the money: This is not a game that totally has you going crazy about it instantly. But the better you play, the more you feel like playing. All you need is that one chance to play well/strike.
Overall, its a good game. People say that it is a de-stresser. I read somewhere that in case you get upset with your boss, head towards a bowling alley and think the pins to be his head and you know where the energy to strike comes from ;) If you are very fond of Dart board, Carrom, pool or any target-hitting game, you would surly love this.
You would be surprised why out of the blue I chose on this topic to write about? Huva yeh ki a few days ago, my better half cajoled me to join him in a game of bowling as he did not want to leave me alone while he and his friend played the game. I had a feeling of it being a snob's game and never showed much interest in the beginning. But when I realized that I would be called as a snob if I refused when both compelled me to play, I thought of joining them. It was a bad start as I had two experts to compete with me and I was nowhere. Though I did not win in the end yet I enjoyed myself. And now, its time to try another game in India, which is not encouraged much but is as much enjoyable.
