{{Short description|Situation in ten pin bowling}} {{more footnotes|date=June 2017}} [[File:20241018 4-5-7 spare conversion - ten-pin bowling.webm |thumb |thumbtime=8 |300px |Attempts to convert the 4-5-7 split (right-handed delivery using pearl coverstock bowling ball). Ball approaches at an angle to give the 4-pin enough forward momentum to contact the 7-pin. However, splitting the 4-5 gap too evenly sends the 4-pin sideways toward the gutter without contacting the 7-pin.]]
A '''split''' is a leave in [[tenpin bowling]] in which the first roll of a frame knocks down the front pin, the headpin, but leaves standing at least two non-adjacent groups of one or more pins.
On scoreboards, a split may be denoted by highlighting the number of pins knocked down in a different color or encased in a circle.
==Notable Splits== ===7–10 split=== [[Image:7-10-split.svg|180px|thumb|right|A 7–10 split]] One of the most infamous of splits is the 7–10, the leftmost and the rightmost pin in the back row. It has gained the nickname "goal posts," "bedposts," or "snake eyes" due to the appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Making 'Impossible' Splits |url=https://bowl.com/making-impossible-splits |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=bowl.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blatt |first=Ben |date=2015-02-18 |title=What’s the Hardest Shot in Bowling? It’s Not the 7-10 Split. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/02/hardest_shot_in_bowling_it_s_not_the_7_10_split_it_s_the_greek_church.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Slate Magazine}}</ref>
Due to the nature of the split being the two farthest pins of the pin deck, the split necessitates a pin to bounce and hit another pin in order to be converted. Various methods of achieving this include, after hitting a pin, having it bounce out of the pit area, bounce off the side wall, or clip a pin and slide it into the other, the last being incredibly rare. As a result, it is one of the most difficult splits to pick up.
==== Conversion History ==== [[Mark Roth]] was the first bowler to pick up the 7–10 split on television on January 5, 1980, at the ARC Alameda Open at Mel's Southshore Bowl in [[Alameda, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPllVnruRAc|title=Mark Roth 7-10 Split Conversion|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> Only three other professional bowlers have converted this split on television: [[John Mazza]] on February 16, 1992 and [[Jess Stayrook]] on July 13, 1991, both on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] broadcasts of the [[Professional Bowlers Tour]], and [[Anthony Neuer]], who accomplished it on April 11, 2021 during the [[U.S. Open (bowling)|U.S. Open]] Stepladder Finals on an [[ESPN]] telecast. All four converted their splits by bouncing a pin out of the pit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Jk8KiBDWM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/r9Jk8KiBDWM |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=PBA 7 - 10 split conversions|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeBNx4WXS9Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/aeBNx4WXS9Q |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Rick Pollard 7-10 Split Conversion @ Montgomery Bowl Hudepohl King Of TV Bowling Cincinnati, Ohio|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Anthony Neuer Makes Bowling History, Converts 7-10 Split on Live US Open TV Finals |url=https://www.bowlersmart.com/2021/04/11/anthony-neuer-makes-bowling-history-converts-7-10-on-live-us-open-tv-finals/ |date=April 11, 2021 |first=Brian |last=Halstrom |website=bowlersmart.com|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Anthony Neuer Converts the 7-10 Split During U.S. Open Stepladder Finals |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XWyVOh5AX8 |website=Youtube.com |publisher=PBABowling |access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> Roth is the only right-handed bowler as Mazza, Stayrook, and Neuer are all southpaws.
=== Big four (4–6–7–10) === The Big four, also known as the Golden Gate split, Big ears, Grandma's teeth, Double [[pinochle]], consists of the two pins on either side of the pin deck.
The only professional to convert this split on television is [[Walter Ray Williams, Jr.]], doing so on an ESPN telecast in 2005, although there have been other bowlers to do so on camera.
=== Side-by-side splits (2–3; 4–5; 5–6; 7–8; 8–9; 9–10) === Also known as fit splits. Similar to baby splits because of their close distance from one another, the side-by-side split is almost always made by fitting the ball in between the two pins left standing. The 4–5 was referred to as the "Steam fitter" on ''[[Make That Spare]]''.
=== Greek church (4–6–7–8–10 or 4–6–7–9–10) === This split is similar to the Big four, except there is another pin included, either the 8 or 9 pin. Statistical review reveals this shot to be the least-converted in professional bowling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/02/hardest_shot_in_bowling_it_s_not_the_7_10_split_it_s_the_greek_church.html|title=What's the Hardest Shot in Bowling?|first=Ben|last=Blatt|date=February 18, 2015|via=Slate}}</ref>
[[Doug Kent]] and Alan Bishop are the only players to have ever converted the Greek Church on television, with Kent doing so in the 1990 PBA National Championship (Converting the 4-6-7-9-10)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9mMULkoj2Q|title=PBA Bowling - Doug Kent Converts the "Greek Church" on TV - 1990}}</ref> and Bishop doing so in the 1992 Quaker Stake Open (Converting the 4-6-7-8-10).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=icqpUxL5zNQ?t=1492|title=1992 PBA Quaker State Open Full Telecast}}</ref>
=== Washouts === [[File:Example of washout.jpg|thumb|An example of washout (1-3-7)]] Although not a split, as the headpin (1 pin) is still standing, washouts involve a setup of pins which are spaced out, including the headpin. Common examples of the washout include the 1–2–4–10, 1–2–8–10, 1–3–6–7, 1–2–10 and 1–3–7. Washouts are generally easier than most splits, because the headpin is in the front of the pin deck and therefore gives the bowler more room for error. The type of washout one leaves largely depends on if the bowler is left-handed or right-handed. For example, a left-handed bowler would leave washouts such as the 1–3–6–7 and 1–3–7–9, while a right-handed bowler would leave the 1–2–4–10 and 1–2–8–10. Modern variants include the 1-2-4-6-10 and 1-3-4-6-7, where the bowler only picked a single pin out as opposed to the normal two (picked 3 pin for right-handers, 2 pin for left-handers).
== List of Splits == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Pins !Nickname !Similar splits !Image |- |7–10 |Goal posts, Bedposts, Snake eyes<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writers |date=2020-02-14 |title=How to Pick Up a Split in Bowling: 5 Tips from the Pros |url=https://richmond40bowl.com/5-tips-to-conquer-the-split/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Richmond 40 Bowl {{!}} Richmond, IN |language=en-US}}</ref> | |[[File:7-10_split_HW_bowl_Bury.jpg|150x150px]] |- |7–9, 8–10 |Cincinnati<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowling Glossary |url=http://www.wpibl.com/id49.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=www.wpibl.com}}</ref> |4–6, 4–6–7, 4–6–10 | |- |5–7, 5–10 |Woolworth, Kresge, Dime store<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bowling Terms |url=https://www.bowlersmart.com/bowling-tips-coaching-education/bowling-terms/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=BowlersMart - The Most Trusted Name in Bowling |language=en-US}}</ref> |2–6, 3–4, 4–9, 6–8 |[[File:5-7_split.jpg|150x150px]] |- |5–7–10 |Sour apple, Lilly, Full Murray, Three wise men<ref>{{Cite web |title=Do you know where these words and phrases happen to come from? |url=https://advertiser-tribune.com/news/229444/do-you-know-where-these-words-and-phrases-happen-to-come-from/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=advertiser-tribune.com |language=en}}</ref> | | |- |3–7, 2–10 | | | |- |2–7, 3–10 |Baby split, Murphy<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Another visit to the bowling terminology list brings some surprises |url=https://advertiser-tribune.com/news/240837/another-visit-to-the-bowling-terminology-list-brings-some-surprises/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=advertiser-tribune.com |language=en}}</ref> |2–9, 3–8, 1–4, 1–6{{efn|Both splits that include the headpin are not technically splits, but washouts.}} |[[File:2-7_split.jpg|150x150px]] |- |2–7–10, 3–7–10 |Cocked hat, Christmas tree<ref name=":0" /> | | |- |4–7–10, 6–7–10 | |4–10, 6–10{{efn|Though missing a pin, the splits are effectively the same.}} | |- |4–9, 6–8 | |2–6, 3–4, 5–7, 5–10 | |- |4–6–7–10 |Big four, Golden Gate, Big ears, Grandma's teeth, Double [[pinochle]]<ref name=":0" /> | | |- |2–3, 4–5, 5–6, 7–8, 8–9, 9–10 |Fit splits, Steam fitter (for the 4–5)<ref name=":0" /> | |[[File:5-6_split.jpg|150x150px]] |- |4–5–7, 5–6–10 | |2–3–4, 2–3–6, 4–5–8, 5–6–8 |[[File:20241018_4-5-7_spare_conversion_-_ten-pin_bowling.webm|thumbtime=8|150x150px]] |- |4–6–7–8–10, 4–6–7–9–10 |Greek church<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blatt |first=Ben |date=2015-02-18 |title=What’s the Hardest Shot in Bowling? It’s Not the 7-10 Split. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/02/hardest_shot_in_bowling_it_s_not_the_7_10_split_it_s_the_greek_church.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Slate Magazine}}</ref> |4–6–8–10, 4–6–7–9 | |- |3–4–6–7–10, 2–4–6–7–10 |Big five | | |}
== Splits in candlepin bowling == As in the tenpin game, splits can also occur in the [[New England]] and [[Canadian Maritimes]]-centered sport of [[candlepin bowling]]. As candlepin bowling uniquely ''allows'' the use of fallen "dead wood" pins to remain on the lane to be used in assisting the felling of standing pins for spare and split conversions, still the most notable split in the candlepin sport is the [[Candlepin bowling#Jargon|"spread eagle"]], the six-pin leave made up of the '''2-3-4-6-7-10''' combination, that due to the aforementioned "fit split" status of the 2–3 split in tenpins (but, with the smaller candlepin ball, the 2 and 3 pin can't be hit together with it) and the "spread eagle" almost never occurs in tenpins, with the closest split to it being the 2-(or 3-)4-6-7-10.
In contrast, even more difficult splits such as the infamous 7–10 split may be easier to convert in candlepin, since fallen pins are left on the lane after being knocked down; thus, if enough pins are spread across the lane, a strategically bowled ball could knock the fallen pins into both the 7 and 10 at the same time.
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== '''Recorded 7–10 split conversions''' *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPllVnruRAc Mark Roth] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtDDG5MrxAs John Mazza] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfNEt1bLI10 Jess Stayrook] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XWyVOh5AX8 Anthony Neuer]
'''Recorded 4–6–7–10 split conversions''' *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auCrhZ46v2k Walter Ray Williams, Jr.]
{{Ten pin bowling}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Split (Bowling)}} [[Category:Ten-pin bowling]]