Kingpin Meaning in Bowling

The kingpin refers to the number five pin located in the exact center of the pin triangle. It sits directly behind the head pin and is surrounded by all the other pins. This pin is crucial because it helps knock down the pins at the very back of the lane. If the kingpin remains standing, it often leads to a difficult split or an incomplete spare. For example, the ball took out the front pins but failed to move the kingpin in the center. The kingpin is the central pillar of the formation and vital for clearing the deck.