h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In South Devon, where I play skittles, getting all the pins down in one shot is usually described as a 'flopper', which obviously then leads to much ribaldry. The 'sticker-uppers' are usually said to be 'in the pits', and this is a job for two members of the non-throwing team.

The local league has no rules about the length of alley, so at Torquay Utd's Boots & Laces venue the pins seem to be some miles from the thrower, whilst at the Devonport Arms, Paignton it is almost possible for the ball to hit the pins before actually touching the ground. Whilst there is no formal rule prohibiting bouncing, incidentally, it is generally disapproved of, and too much of this will invariably spur the opposing team to a rousing rendition of the Dambusters theme.

The different alleys is definitely part of the fun - it means that there's a real difference to playing home and away.

I know what you mean about bouncing - it was a bit of a grey area in Nailsea (N Somerset) where I played, but it definitely used to form part of certain players games! I love the Dambusters riposte, very much in the spirit of the game.

I seem to recall there being a term for not scoring any with the three balls - something like VDC for 'very damn close'? Do you have a term for that?

Sprout

I can't recall one, actually. Going straight through without hitting anything, though, is always greeted with a call of 'too akkerrut' in broadest De'mshur!

my wife plays for a local team in Weston-super-Mare. The rules mean the ball must hit the ground before passing the throw line, but may bounce after that. If it fails to hit the ground before the line, any skittles you have knocked over with that throw do not count, but the skittles do not get put back up. They get quite serious about it, the ladies, and tend not to drink the scrumy.
I only play socially myself, so I can enjoy the falling over water even more.
caspershadow

and the ladies use the term VC (very close), the men usually add a letter in the middle, which can be a D, or an F or B.

That's the term I was looking for - VDC is how I'd heard it. Thanks Caspershadow!

Sprout