POK-it
/ˈpɒkɪt/
The ideal hitting zone between the headpin (1-pin) and an adjacent pin (3-pin for right-handers, 2-pin for left-handers) to maximize strike potential.
Hitting the pocket is the primary goal of any first roll, as it triggers the optimal chain reaction of pin collisions.
The story behind the word. The word 'pocket' comes from the Old French 'poke', meaning a bag or pouch. In various sports, 'pocket' came to describe an enclosed, safe, or ideal space (like the pocket in American football or billiards). In bowling, it describes the snug, perfect gap between the front pins.
Word relationships
- sweet spot: 'Sweet spot' is a general athletic term, while 'pocket' is the specific geometric target in bowling.
Commonly confused with
- gutter: The gutter is the failure zone on the sides; the pocket is the success zone in the center.
Word family
- pockets (noun): plural form of pocket
Collocations
- strike pocket
- hit the pocket
- pocket shot
Idioms & expressions
- in your pocket
- out of pocket
Example sentences
- "Her ball hit the pocket perfectly, sending the pins flying in a textbook strike." Analyzing a successful throw
Memory hook
The ball fits perfectly into the 'pocket' between the pins, like a hand in a pocket. The sweet spot.
When not to use
Do not use 'pocket' to describe hitting the headpin directly head-on, which is called hitting 'nose-on'.
Fun facts
- For a right-handed bowler, hitting the 1-3 pocket at an angle of 4 to 6 degrees is mathematically proven to yield the highest percentage of strikes.
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