We all had a friend at some point in our lives who love to cheat in any sport they are involved in. Whether it is a board game or an extreme outdoor game, they find ways to cheat to secure a high score and a win. Bowling is another sport where some immoral players figure out ways to cheat. Instead of developing skills, they apply rule-breaking strategies to knock down more pins and win the game.
I will talk about some of the ways many bowlers cheat at bowling. This is not to encourage you to do the same, rather take it as a lesson so you can recognize when someone is cheating and you can call them out. Allow me to dive into the details.
Can you cheat at bowling?
The answer is, yes, you can. But is that allowed or recommended? Never! You are not supposed to cheat in any sports because that is unfair to everyone who is bowling with you. Moreover, it will affect your overall bowling skill and career. So do not go down this path even if you are bad at bowling because cheating is definitely not the answer to doing better.
Do you all remember the time the famous YouTuber Mike Rober made a video of a Magic Strike ball? In November 2019, he made a mechanical bowling ball that ensured strikes every time you throw it. Of course, this bowling ball is not approved by USBC. But it was a fun little reaction. Besides using a magic bowling ball, there are some ways bowlers cheat at bowling.
Although they call them “hacks”, but some of those strategies are illegal to perform, and if anyone does that they will be warned or banned from a match. If you don’t want to get kicked out of a league game or a tournament, never dare to cheat in bowling even if it seems possible at that time. You won’t get away with it because they have cameras set in multiple angles to identify any misdeeds.
How to Cheat at Bowling and Find Cheater?
Cheater bowlers will find ways to fool others and make illegal scores. Here are some of the common methods bowlers use to cheat at bowling.
1. Faking the score
The first and the most common method bowlers use to cheat is when they see that the scoreboard is broken or having technical issues. When that happens bowlers keep their score manually using a bowling score calculator. They can either do it using a pen and paper or an app or a website. Immoral bowlers often tend to take advantage of these scenarios and input bigger numbers in the manual scoreboard. As a result, they end up with a higher score.
If the opponent doesn’t keep track of their scores, they can easily lie and get away with it. Although it gives them a temporary win, by cheating like that you’re only cheating yourself. In a long run, this will do you no good.
2. Jumping on the approach area
From the point where you take your stance to the end of the lane where the pins stand— it’s all connected. You have seen many bowlers jumping up and down as soon as they release the ball on the lane. What do they achieve from it? Do they do it only for fun or to celebrate a potential strike?
As surprising as it sounds, many bowlers actually do it to cheat. When a bowler jumps up and down on these bowling wooden floors while the bowling ball is rolling down the lane, it causes vibrations. These vibrations often alter the bowling ball’s motion and make it roll differently.
3. Tampering with the bowling lanes
Well, this is another frequent bowling cheating strategy that some immoral bowlers tend to do. In many bowling alleys, you get to enjoy snacks and drinks when you bowl. In fact, it is one of the most popular ways to bowl. Although you’re not supposed to eat your food or drink your soda or water in the approach area, some bowlers do that and they often spill food and drinks on the floor that rolls down to the lane.
When this unwanted element gets to the lane, it ruined the lane’s functionality and will definitely jeopardize your ball’s reaction on the lane. I have even heard once that a bowler dropped some olive oil right before his opponent’s last ball roll. He did that so sneakily that no one noticed and the opponent of course failed to get the ball to the right pocket.
How to stop opponent cheating Being a Bowler?
If you don’t know who you are bowling with, there is a small chance your opponent might make some attempts to cheat. What can you do about that? How do you stop your opponent from cheating at bowling?
1. The first thing to do is be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your opponent. How they are bowling, how much are they scoring, and so on? If you’re not paying attention to their gameplay, and your opponent finds you distracted, they can cheat very easily. So pay some attention to what they are doing to prevent any foul play.
2. What’s better than your own observation? The security cameras! The place you go for bowling, make sure they have cameras set up all over the place from different angles. So even when you’re not focusing on how your opponent is bowling, the camera will do the job for you. If anything seems fishy, you can ask the security office to play the recorded video for you and you can point out any misdeeds from there as well.
3. If you do notice any foul play, you should always let your opponent and others know immediately so that your opponent does not repeat it. Make it a fair warning. After the first warning, if they repeat it or follow other strategies to cheat, let the bowling alley manager know. Chances are your opponent will be banned from the establishment for good.
Conclusion
And that’s how it is done, boys! Never think about cheating in bowling because that will get you nowhere. Indeed, bowling is hard. If you’re doing poorly, seek help from a fellow bowler mate or from a pro bowler or a coach. With proper guidelines and practice, you can turn things around and bowl a much higher score. So keep up the honest work and have patience till you master the skill. Good luck and never stop having fun bowling! Adios, amigos!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
