What Is a Split in Bowling? Common Types and Spare Tips

Direct answer: In 10-pin bowling, a split is a leave after the first ball where the head pin is down and the remaining pins are separated, which makes the spare harder. The official PBA rule includes leaves such as 7-9, 3-10, and even 5-6 when the connecting pin is gone. See the PBA Universal Playing Rules.

Table Of Contents

What counts as a split in bowling?

Under the PBA rulebook, a leave is a split only after the first delivery, only when the head pin is down, and only when at least one pin is missing between standing pins or immediately ahead of them. That is why a 3-10 and a 5-6 both qualify.

What does not count as a split?

A washout is not a split because the head pin is still standing. The PBA Bowling Lingo page treats leaves such as 1-2-10 or 1-3-7 as washouts rather than true splits.

Common named splits

The cleanest current references for named leaves are the PBA lingo page and the USBC lingo page on BOWL.com.

Name	Leave	What the official sources say
Baby split	2-7 or 3-10	PBA lists it as easier to pick up than a regular split.
7-10 split	7-10	USBC says it is typically referred to as the toughest split.
Big Four	4-6-7-10	Both PBA and USBC list it as a standard named split.
Greek Church	4-6-7-8-10 or 4-6-7-9-10	PBA describes it as three pins on one side and two on the other.
Lily or sour apple	5-7-10	PBA lists lily as another name for the sour apple leave.

Why bowlers leave splits

Most splits come from missing the pocket cleanly or getting the wrong angle through the pins. USBC's Striking 101 says the strike pocket is between the 1 and 3 pins for right-handers and the 1 and 2 pins for left-handers, while Making In-Game Adjustments explains that high hits and light hits change how the corner pins carry.

How to shoot the easier ones

For spare shooting, USBC says on Developing Your Release that a straight ball release is ideal. On Making Hard Spares, USBC specifically recommends moving left and sending the ball between the 3 and 10 on a 3-10 baby split.

For baby splits, start with a straighter spare-ball look.
For wider splits, the goal is usually to drive one pin across the deck into the other group.
For true corner splits like the 7-10, a good shot still does not make it routine.

How to leave fewer splits

The practical fix is better pocket control, not just more speed. USBC's adjustment guide says to move in the direction of the miss, keep reading lane changes, and correct high or light hits before they turn into ugly leaves.

Does a split change your score?

No. A split does not create bonus points. Under the PBA scoring rules, a spare still scores 10 plus the next ball, and if you fail to clear the leave after two deliveries, the frame is open.

Bottom line

A split in bowling is not just any two pins left standing. It is a specific head-pin-down leave that creates separation between the remaining pins. Learn the named leaves, shoot the easier ones with a straighter spare ball, and use pocket and lane adjustments to leave fewer of them.