Skittles (sport)
Skittles is a historical lawn game and target sport of European origin, from which the modern sport of nine-pin bowling is descended. In regions of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the game remains as a popular indoor pub game.
The Hutchinson Encyclopedia describes skittles as a game where players attempt to knock down "nine wooden pins" that are arranged in a diamond shape. Players get three rolls and can be played by "two or more players."
Skittles has experienced a "gradual decline," since the 1950s, due to "loss of players and the closure of skittles alleys." Historically, skittles was considered to be a male sport, but women have made their way into the sport, while also preserving regional varieties.
Playing
Skittles is usually played indoors on a bowling alley, with one or more heavy balls, usually spherical but sometimes oblate, and several , or small bowling pins. The general object of the game is to use the ball to knock over the skittles, either specific ones or all of them, depending upon game variant. Exact rules vary widely on a regional basis.Rules variations
Front pin first
In this variant of the game, pins are counted only if the front pin is knocked over first. If the front pin is missed, any pins that are knocked over are not reset. In Devon Summer League, this rule is played frequently. In Bristol, this is the form of the game played and "all in" skittles tends to be looked down upon as involving less skill. In Worcestershire, this type of game is also known as King Pin.Nomination
In this variant of the game, the player has to nominate the pin that will be hit first before the throw. Unless this pin is knocked over, the player will not score. The names given to the pins may vary from region to region; in Wiltshire they are usually referred to as "front pin", "front right quarter", "front left quarter", "outside right", "centre pin", "outside left", "back right quarter", "back left quarter", and "back pin".Four-pins
In this variant of the game, only four pins are put up and must be hit with the front pin first. It is often used in conjunction with nomination as well. It is currently used in North Somerset Cup games.London Bridge
A variant of nomination but with only the landlord and two coppers set up, i.e. one has to hit a pin with each ball and nominate which one each time.Killer, Coffins, or German skittles
A game for any number of people. Each starts with three lives. Each bowls only one ball at a time. The first bowls at a full frame and the skittles are not stuck up until all nine are hit down. Each time a player fails to hit at least one pin, they lose a life. The winner is the last one left with a life intact. Usually played for small amounts of money, the winner takes the combined player entry fees. It is found in the Wiltshire, Somerset, and Bristol areas. Players might claim a "tactical miss" when they have multiple lives remaining and fail to hit the only pin still standing. This is to avoid giving the following player a full frame.Six-ball Westbury
Another game for any number of people. Each player has one hand of six balls at a full frame. If all nine pins are knocked down within the hand, then they are reset, meaning that a player may score anywhere between 0 and 54. The winner is the player with the highest score. It is similar to killer in that it is usually played for money with the winner taking the pot.London Skittles
London Skittles games are usually played over seven ends. Competition matches are usually played over twenty-one ends. Games are played one-against-one, a chalk being scored by knocking all the pins over in fewer throws than one's opponent. It is assumed that a player can get a single pin, so any standing pins each count as an extra throw. If the pins aren't all down in four throws, five is scored. The order of play alternates - player A sets for player B then player B sets for player A and so on.Twenty ones
This is played for money at the end of an evening of London Skittles. Players have one throw per turn and score the number of pins knocked down. The winner is the first player to reach exactly twenty one. If a player goes bust, their score goes back to twelve.Regional variations
Cambridge
Cambridge & District Skittle League has been in existence since 1927. Playing league matches on Tuesday evenings from the start of the season in September to March and competitions during the season. Culminating in a Finals Night in June where the final matches of competitions are played out. The last time someone is known to have thrown two floorers in succession was during Finals Night in 2022.The League has its on website www.cambridgeskittles.org
Greater London
Also known as Old English Skittles, the Greater London version uses nine pins and a thick circular disc known as a 'cheese'. The cheese is thrown at the pins using a swinging motion whilst stepping forwards. After an initial throw, the remaining pins may end up in a variety of formations - many of which have a distinctive name, such as a London Bridge or the Novices. Knocking down all the pins at once is known as a 'floorer' and is highly respected. The last time a player is known to have thrown three floorers in succession was in 1960.While it was once a popular game played in pubs all over London, it is now only played at the Freemasons Arms in Hampstead. The origins of this skittles game are vague, but it is thought by some to have been started by Dutch sailors, possibly playing on the decks of moored barges.
Guernsey
In the Sarnia Skittles League of Guernsey, the teams are made up of six players playing five legs of three balls. The season runs from September to April.Gloucestershire
In the Tewkesbury and District Skittles League, teams consist of 10 players playing 8 hands each. The league runs from early September through to the following April. The league was formed in September 1960. Each game has 10 points available with two points available for the first, second and third leg with another four for the match result.In the Stroud and District Skittle League, teams are made up of 10 players each having eight hands of three balls. In the Ladies Sections each team consists of eight players each having 10 hands of three balls. Games are played in two equal halves.
The Berkeley and District Skittles League was formed in 1957 and has in excess of 100 teams playing in seven divisions in a geographical area of around eight miles in diameter in the southern end of the county. Teams are made up of eight players and each player bowls eight hands of three balls. The pins used in the League vary in size, but are between in height and in diameter at the widest point, and are either made of wood or plastic. Balls are between in diameter and again are either made of wood or a composite rubber. Alleys, on which games are played, are between in length and are generally of a wooden construction, although one alley is linoleum over a concrete base.
In the Cirencester & District Men's Skittle League, teams are made up of nine players each having six hands of three balls.
Herefordshire
In the Hereford & District Invitation Skittle League, skittles is played with either a team of 12 or 6. In the Winter league each player plays four hands of three balls, and in the Summer League they play six hands of three balls.Wiltshire
In the Devizes Skittles League, 9-pin skittles is played with a team of 9 players. Each player throws 3 balls. A team's aggregate score decides the leg - 2 points are awarded for each leg won. Two points for the overall aggregate number of pins, for a total of 10 points available for the match. The team with the most points wins the match. The league runs from August to April. There are approximately 33 teams across 3 divisions, playing within a 5-mile radius of Devizes. The top division plays front-pin rules whereby only pins knocked down after the front pin count.In the Westbury Skittles League, teams consist of 8 players, games consist of 5 legs, and players throws 3 balls per leg. Points are awarded to the winning team by aggregate score; 1 point per leg and 2 points for the game for a total of 7 points per game. Both leagues host Singles, Pairs, Nomination, and Knockout Cup competitions. The rubber balls and resin pins are standardised across the league, whilst alley dimensions vary slightly and may have a concrete, wood, or lino surface.
The Malmesbury and District League is played with nine players per team, divided into three legs. Each player has six goes with three balls. Two points are awarded for each winning leg, and a further four points are awarded to the overall winning team, so ten points are available per game. This is one of the larger leagues in the area with 95 teams playing on 20 different alleys within a ten-mile radius of Malmesbury Abbey.
The Swindon & District Friday Skittles League is played with twelve players per team, divided into four legs; hence, each is called a 'Horse'. Points are awarded thus - 2 points per Horse, plus 6 points for winning. There are currently 36 teams in three sections. The league runs from September to June.
The Trowbridge Town Skittles League, Teams consist of 10 players, games consist of 5 legs, and players throws 3 balls per leg. Points are awarded to the winning team by aggregate score; 1 point per leg and 2 points for the game for a total of 7 points per game. The League consists of 3 divisions with division 1 playing front pin rules. The league also hosts Singles, Pairs and Knock Out Cup competitions. A summer 4 man league is also played each year.
Somerset and Bristol
The rules and team formats of "Somerset" skittles vary. Major skittles areas include Bridgwater, Wells, Yeovil, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, Glastonbury and Street. Bristol is also included in the "Somerset" skittles "set". Depending on where the leagues play, there may be 6 players per side, or 8 per side. There are mixed leagues and there are all male leagues and all female leagues. The highest known score in a game of 8 man skittles was in the Street and District league, this was by Ryan Church for the Carrot Crunchers. He scored 97 in 6 hands including two 26 spares.Traditionally, Somerset skittles uses wooden balls and wooden pins. Times have changed and for various reasons, some alleys now use composite rubber balls and nylon pins. Bristol and North Somerset alleys have, in the past been known for their "camber". Some alleys were raised in the middle, making bowling an accurate art.