Nine-pin bowling facts for kids
Nine-pin ball and pins, as used in Germany.
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| Highest governing body | WNBA |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | ninepins, 9-pin, kegel, kegeln |
| First played | Medieval times, Germany |
| Registered players | about 130,000 |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | 6 per side + reserves |
| Mixed-sex | Yes, separate competitions |
| Type | Team sport, ball sport |
| Equipment | Nine-pin bowling ball and pins |
| Venue | Nine-pin bowling lane |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | No |
| World Games | 2005 |
Nine-pin bowling is a fun game played mainly in Europe. It's a bit like the bowling you might know, but with nine pins instead of ten! People also call it ninepin bowling, nine-pin, kegel, or kegeln.
Each year, there are exciting European championships where teams compete. This sport is very popular, especially in Germany, where over 90,000 people play on teams. You can find special bowling alleys, called Bundeskegelbahnen, in almost every big town there. Across Europe, about 130,000 players enjoy this game.
What is Nine-Pin Bowling?
Nine-pin bowling is a bowling game where players try to knock down nine pins arranged in a diamond shape. You roll a ball down a lane, just like in ten-pin bowling. The goal is to knock down as many pins as possible with your ball. It's a game that needs skill and a bit of luck!
Where is it Played?
Nine-pin bowling lanes are common in many European countries. You can find them in places like Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Estonia, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, North Macedonia, Hungary, and Liechtenstein. It's even played in Brazil!
In countries where ten-pin bowling is more popular, like the English-speaking countries, nine-pin bowling isn't as common today. However, a special version of the game is played in the US state of Texas.
A Look Back in Time
Nine-pin bowling has a long history, going back to medieval times in Germany. It's one of the oldest forms of bowling. People have been enjoying this game for hundreds of years! Old paintings and drawings show how people played it long ago.
Images for kids
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"Music and Bowling" (1736) by Johann Franz Hörmannsperger (b.1710 – d.?)
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Often associated with gambling, bowling often had a negative image. This 1800 English mayor instructed "putting a stop to the growing evil of skittle and bowling alleys... to take care that there are as few inducements as possible for the thoughtless husband to spend his substance to the detriment of his family."
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Nine-pin bowler in East Germany, 1976
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Historic depiction of Nine-pin bowling by Friedrich Eduard Meyerheim (1834)
