Day #69: March 10th, 2026
Converting the Washout (1–2–4–10 / 1–3–6–7)
Few spares in bowling test precision and patience like the washout. Whether you leave the 1–2–4–10 (for right-handers) or the 1–3–6–7 (for left-handers), converting this tricky leave comes down to a mix of accuracy, angle, and smart lane reading.
What Is a Washout?
A washout happens when the head pin remains standing along with pins on both sides of the lane. Typically, this is after the ball misses the pocket and crosses over or skids too wide. The result is a split combined with a spare cluster, making this leave more challenging than it looks.
- For right-handers, the classic washout is the 1–2–4–10, while for lefties, it’s the mirror image 1–3–6–7.
Key to Conversion: Hit the Head Pin Light
The goal is to hit the head pin (1 pin) on the side closest to your spare cluster’s path, lightly. You want the ball to deflect into the 2 and 4 pins (for right-handers), while the head pin gently slides across the lane to take out the 10.
- Right-handers: Aim between the 1 and 2 pins; the ball continues through the 2–4 zone while the deflected head pin catches the 10.
- Left-handers: Aim between the 1 and 3 pins; the ball drives through the 3–6 area, letting the head pin take the 7.
If this angle is delicate, too much head pin and you chop off the cluster; too little, and you miss everything to the right or left.
Setup and Execution Tips
- Move your feet right (or left for lefties) about 3–5 boards from your strike position. You’ll be playing a slightly straighter line toward the head pin.
- Use your strike ball if there’s still decent oil on the lane. The added hook and deflection can help the head pin sweep out the corner pin.
- Focus on speed control. A ball that’s too fast won’t deflect enough; too slow may hook too early and miss the head pin completely.
- Visualize the chain reaction: 1 pin to 2, ball to 4, head pin to 10, mentally image before every attempt.
Common Mistakes
- Going for the head pin too directly will result in the ball driving straight through the middle and leaving pins standing.
- Flattening the release too much might cause the ball to lose the angle needed to keep the chain reaction going.
- Over-hooking could result in missing the head pin on the inside, ruining the setup for the deflection play.
Practice Drill
Set up the 1–2–4–10 combination in practice and repeat the shot 10 times, noting which pin is missed most often. Adjust your starting angle or speed each time until you consistently send the head pin sliding across to the corner.
This kind of focused repetition trains both your accuracy and your understanding of lane angles, which pays off big time during competition.
Mastering the washout teaches you one of bowling’s most valuable concepts: controlled deflection. Once you can convert this spare, you’ll not only save frames but also sharpen your ability to shape shots and visualize pin action across all kinds of tricky leaves.