Bowling Strike Names: What’s a Turkey, Double, or Hambone?
- Erikas Jansonas
- May 23
- 2 min read
Bowling has its own unique language, especially when it comes to strike streaks. From casual leagues to televised tournaments, you’ll hear all kinds of terms for consecutive strikes. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the most common bowling strike names and what they mean.
1 Strike – Strike
A single strike is just called… a strike. It’s the goal of every frame.
2 Strikes in a Row – Double
Two consecutive strikes are referred to as a double. It’s often the setup for a strong scoring run.
3 Strikes in a Row – Turkey
Three strikes in a row is called a turkey. The term dates back to the early 20th century when bowlers would win a turkey as a prize during Thanksgiving tournaments. Some people might also call this a triple, but “turkey” is far more common.
4 Strikes in a Row – Hambone
Four consecutive strikes are known as a hambone, a term made popular by sports commentator Rob Stone. While not everyone uses this term, it has caught on in many circles. Others simply refer to it as a four-bagger.
5 Strikes in a Row – Five-Bagger or Yahtzee
At five in a row, bowlers often switch to using the “bagger” format. Five-bagger is most common, but some bowlers jokingly call it a Yahtzee, referencing the game’s five-of-a-kind win condition.
6 Strikes in a Row – Six Pack
Six consecutive strikes is often called a six pack, and sometimes a six-bagger. Both are common, with “six pack” being more conversational.
7 Strikes in a Row – Seven-Bagger
At this point, most terms follow the bagger format. A seven-bagger means seven strikes in a row.
8 Strikes in a Row – Eight-Bagger
Eight consecutive strikes is referred to as an eight-bagger.
9 Strikes in a Row – Nine-Bagger or Golden Turkey
Nine in a row is typically called a nine-bagger, though some bowlers refer to it as a golden turkey to mark the extended string.
10 Strikes in a Row – Ten-Bagger or Dime Bag
A ten-bagger is the standard term. Some may also call it a dime bag, though that’s less commonly used and more informal.
11 Strikes in a Row – Eleven in a Row
At this point, names are usually dropped in favor of raw count. Most will just say eleven in a row.
12 Strikes in a Row – Perfect Game or Thanksgiving Turkey
Twelve strikes in a row equals a perfect game, also known in some circles as a Thanksgiving turkey. It’s the ultimate goal for many bowlers.
Other Common Phrases
Front X: Describes consecutive strikes starting from the first frame. Example: Front nine means strikes in frames 1 through 9.
Back X: Describes strikes in later frames, such as Back six for strikes in frames 7 through 12.
Off the Sheet: Refers to finishing a game with strikes from a certain point onward—usually a clean ending from the 7th frame or later.
Summary Table of Bowling Strike Names
Strikes in a Row | Common Name(s) |
1 | Strike |
2 | Double |
3 | Turkey |
4 | Hambone, Four-Bagger |
5 | Five-Bagger, Yahtzee |
6 | Six Pack, Six-Bagger |
7 | Seven-Bagger |
8 | Eight-Bagger |
9 | Nine-Bagger, Golden Turkey |
10 | Ten-Bagger, Dime Bag |
12 | Perfect Game, Thanksgiving Turkey |
