Thought I'd let you know about the game of Skittles. I have played and enjoyed the game for 16 years now. I am the Captain of my team called "Transformers".

Skittles is played across the South of England and most Leagues are concentrated in the Counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Avon. It is a pub based game and most teams are formed from works teams, friends sharing a common base - e.g. Pub patrons, football teams etc. You obviously know all about Ten Pin so here are some points about Skittles:

* Skittles is a team game. 10 players each having ten 'hands'. Each hand consists of three balls which are the size of a large Grapefruit.

* There are 9 skittles (pins) to hit down. These skittles are in a diamond shape which is approx 1.5m across and 1.5 metres deep. This means the ball can easily pass through the pins without hitting any skittles over.

* Scoring zero in a hand is called a 'Beaver'. Most teams will have a domestic fine system in order to raise money for an end of Season bash. Beavers, missing with the last ball scoring 4 or under etc are all common basis on which to fine the player.

* The 'alley' can be any length between the set allowances. Usually, alleys are approx 40 feet long. Alleys can be made of practically any material - wood, concrete, vinyl.

* Balls are made of wood, pins can be plastic or wood. - suffice to say that each game has varying characteristcs depending whhere you play (like oil characteristics across different 'houses' in Ten Pin)

* Hitting all nine pins on the first ball is called a "Flatner" and is very very rare.

* Hitting all nine after two balls is called a "Spare" and is more common - usually 4 per team on average per game.

* The pins are re-set floowing a spare and the player then has his last ball to play.

* Skittles are re-set by humans usually by teenage sons or daughters of the players for pocket money.

* The maximum score (i.e. hitting every skittle down with all three balls each hand) is 270 27pins x10hands has never been done and will never be. In fact, there has never been three flatners in a row to score a maximum of 27 on one hand - at least in my Legaue over the last 16 years.

* The sport has NO professional League - shame.

* Top players will have an average of 70+ for the Season. - Our Season has just finished and my average is 70.45 (pheww just made it!)

To conclude, the only similiarlity of Skittles and Ten Pin is that balls and pins are used.

Has anyone out there played this marvellous game? - Would love to here your views on this game and of course will be happy to asnswer any questions you may have.

Thanks
Maximus

A short note about skittles. Nine pin bowling is very popular in Europe and many other countries. There is a Nine Pin Bowling Federation that used to be an important part of the FIQ. NIne pin has three types, called in German, Bohle, Classic or Aphalt and Schere. In contrast to the British form described, most modern lanes have the pins attached to the machine by a long string, quiite similar to the Canadian's 5-pin.Although too long to post here now, I'll be happy to post more complete descriptions if anyone is interested or if anyone wants to e-mail me.
Doc