2026-10-15 · Optional Saved Login, AutoFill And Updated Help · 52 chapters
A detailed guide to scoring, leagues, equipment, sharing and protecting your records. Examples are instructional, not your personal scorebook.
Open Pocket Lanes · Use your browser’s Print command to print or save as PDF.
This file is an offline reference. Your downloaded copy does not change when the app is updated. Get a new copy from Help & User Manual after updates.
Discover what Pocket Lanes can do
Where: Sign-in page, title screen, and the top of the app
Find What you can do with Pocket Lanes.
Tap Explore the app’s features to open or close the feature summary.
Things to know
The overview is available to guests and members, including people who skip the title screen.
Home, the welcome screen and sign-in show lifetime Total Users and Site Visits. Deleting an account never lowers either counter. Each account is counted once, including the owner and pending accounts; automated service profiles are excluded. Visits start from the date shown and count one visit per browser within 30 minutes. These totals do not show who is currently online.
This introduction contains no personal bowling data. Guests can browse sample data; editing requires the appropriate member access.
Enter your Pocket Lanes email and password. Choose Sign In & Save Login if you want your device’s password manager to save them. Regular Sign In remains available.
After a successful sign-in, accept the Save Password prompt if your browser offers one. Your browser controls the prompt; Pocket Lanes cannot force it or confirm that you accepted.
Next time, tap the email or password field and choose your saved Pocket Lanes login using Passwords / AutoFill, then sign in.
On iPhone or iPad, try signing in through Safari. If no save prompt appears, open the Passwords app and add an entry for rons-pocket-lanes.balmysole5.chatgpt.site with your email and password. Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys under Settings → General → AutoFill & Passwords.
For other browsers, use the browser’s password manager to add, update or remove the login. Expand Saving On iPhone Or Need Help? on the sign-in page for guidance.
Things to know
Saving is optional and intended for your own trusted device. Passwords are saved by your chosen password manager; Pocket Lanes does not store a readable password in app data, backups or browser storage.
A failed sign-in never sends the password to the save-password API. Unsupported, declined or blocked saving does not stop a successful sign-in. Private browsing, disabled saving and a previous Never Save choice can affect prompts.
Your browser may offer its own save prompt after regular Sign In too. Signing out does not delete a saved password; remove it in the password manager when needed.
Saving a login does not create an account, approve membership, bypass access rules or keep you signed in forever. After resetting a password, sign in with the new password and update the saved entry.
Use the dashboard shortcuts to open your favorite sections. Search Your App finds pages and saved items; the five best matches appear first, with Show 5 More for additional matches.
Latest Night shows each bowler’s game scores and series total. An unfinished set shows Total So Far; Open This Night opens that league and date.
Open Choose Averages To Show / Hide under Recent Recorded Averages. Check the league and bowler rows you want, or choose Show All / Hide All. Changes keep you in the same part of the list and do not change saved scores.
Use Tournament Favorites or Search Tournaments beside Collapse to open those views. Everyone must enter the preview password before tournament listings are shown.
Open Community to share a game, series, photo or post. Dad’s memories have their own separate section. Both require Ron’s approval before other users can see a submission.
Total Users and Site Visits are lifetime counts. Deleting an account does not reduce either total. The reminder panel links to complete backup downloads; Remind Me In 7 Days postpones the reminder.
Things to know
Average visibility and favorites are saved for your account on this browser/device. They may differ on another device.
Users are counted once; they are not a count of people online. Site Visits includes visitors to the app, sign-in and guest demo from the displayed start date. A browser counts once within 30 minutes; app-page changes and quick reloads do not add visits.
For backup details, search the manual for backup. The 14-day reminder is based on this device’s last complete-download request; check Files to confirm the download finished.
Type a name or word, such as a tournament name, arsenal ball, bowler, date or note.
Review the five best matches. Select a result to open its item, section or record preview.
Tap Show 5 More repeatedly to reveal another five results until all matches are shown. Changing the search starts with five again.
Unlock the tournament preview if you want tournament listings included. Use the separate tournament keyword box when browsing just tournaments.
Things to know
Search includes app pages, your saved records, the ball and pattern libraries, manual chapters, and approved shared posts and memories. Private account records remain subject to access permissions.
Search reads text; it does not read words printed inside a flyer or photo. A tournament can be found by its recorded name, venue, dates or details.
Shared content needs an online connection. If it cannot load, retry shared search; local matches can still appear.
Future NY State Area Upcoming Tournaments, Favorites And Flyers
Where: Home → Future NY State Area Upcoming Tournaments / More → Tournaments
Expand the tournament section if it is collapsed. It is still under construction; enter the preview password provided by Ron. The owner must enter it too.
Search by a word from the tournament name, venue, dates or details. Clear the text to see all upcoming listings.
Tap Favorite to make a tournament title bold and add it to Favorite Tournaments at the top. It also remains in the main list. Tap Favorited to remove the favorite.
Use Collapse / Expand for the main section, the favorites section, or the individual event’s details. The Home shortcut opens Tournament Favorites directly.
Open View Flyer / All Pages to inspect the graphic flyer. Use Full Size / Fit Screen, Share Flyer or Save Flyer as available, then Close to return.
Choose Submit Tournament, enter the event details and dates, and accept the sharing notice. It appears to other users only after Ron approves it. Review its status under My Submissions.
Ron: open Alerts & Approvals → Tournament Approvals, unlock the preview if requested, and approve or reject submissions.
Things to know
Listings are refreshed weekly from the same configured event source. Expired events leave the upcoming and favorite displays after their end date; personal tournament records are separate.
Favorites and collapsed sections are saved for your account on this browser/device.
Check the flyer for squads, fees, contact and registration details. Text search cannot search words that exist only inside a flyer image.
The preview password is not published in the help. Pending submissions are visible only to their author and Ron.
Where: Equipment → Arsenal Or Ball Library → Select A Ball
Tap a ball name or photo to open its details. Use Back To Arsenal or Back To Ball Library to return.
Read Original Factory Specs for the catalog coverstock, core, finish and release information.
Core Measurements shows available RG, differential and intermediate differential for the stated weight. Missing values stay unlisted.
Open Full Specifications & Sources for other listed weights and source details.
If the ball is in your arsenal, review Your Setup or choose Edit My Ball. From the library, Add To My Arsenal creates your own copy when editing is allowed.
Things to know
Factory specs describe the undrilled ball. Your resurfacing, layout and drilling can change the ball’s behavior. Your saved surface and notes remain personal.
Different weights may use different cores or numbers. Verify the weight and full product listing before relying on a measurement.
Choose a category and enter a valid reply email, subject and message. A reply email is required before sending.
For an error, include the screen, what you tapped and the exact message. Do not include passwords.
Submit the message and wait for confirmation that it was saved.
Ron: use Alerts & Approvals → Feedback to read messages and mark them read.
Things to know
Feedback is private to Ron; it is not a Community post. Email forwarding depends on whether delivery is configured, but the saved inbox remains the record.
Demo feedback is simulated; no real message is delivered.
While online, use your own approved Owner or Member account on a personal device.
Choose Enable Offline / Refresh Download, accept the device notice and keep the app open until it reports ready.
Your downloaded shell can reopen your own saved scorebook without service. Try opening once in airplane mode on your device to confirm it works.
Reconnect to verify account access and sync. Refresh the offline download at least every 7 days and after app changes.
Use Disable Offline Reopening or sign out when you no longer want this device to reopen the app offline.
Things to know
Other members’ records, sign-in, cloud logs, live searches and uncached photos still need internet. Offline access is unavailable in guest demo and staff previews.
Anyone using the unlocked device may see its saved personal scorebook. iOS may clear stored files; keep cloud and exported backups.
A downloaded user manual is an independent offline reference. Download it again after updates to receive new instructions.
Open Community to browse approved posts, newest submissions first.
Choose Create post for a bowling story or photo, Share game for one completed game, or Share series for 2–12 completed games from one bowler, league and date. You can also share from Scorebook cards and League nights.
Add a title and optional caption/comment or photo. A general post needs a caption or photo. When sharing a game or series, optionally check Include all notes to copy selected-game and session notes. Review or edit that copy before previewing; your private notes stay unchanged.
Preview exactly what will be shared, accept the sharing notice, and tap Submit for approval.
Check My posts & submissions for pending or rejected entries. Approved posts appear to all approved signed-in users.
Tap Applaud on an approved post to congratulate someone; tap again to remove your applause.
Delete your own post if needed. Original saved scores remain unchanged.
Owner: open Alerts & Approvals → Community posts to approve, reject or unpublish. Photos, captions and opted-in notes are reviewed with their posts.
Example: Choose games 230, 240 and 230, preview a 700 series, add a photo and caption, then submit for Ron’s approval.
Things to know
Public demo visitors cannot see real posts. Notes are off by default. Include all notes copies selected-game frame notes/adjustments and post-game reviews, plus session notes, recap, equipment review and matching bowler journal. Existing photos are never included automatically.
Every post, even the owner’s, requires explicit owner approval. Admins cannot approve posts. Pending and rejected posts are visible only to their author and owner.
Dad’s memories remain separate on Home. Community comments are captions, not reply threads.
Posts are snapshots. Later score edits do not change published results; delete and resubmit corrections for review.
Community requires internet. Alerts refresh while the app is open; they are not phone push notifications.
Where: Equipment → Ball Library, or Your arsenal → Browse Ball Library
Search a model, brand, coverstock or core. Filter by brand, U.S. or overseas release, year and cover type. Results start with the newest releases. Show more balls expands the list.
Open Ball details & source to see the manufacturer/distributor information. Release dates may differ by region; month-only listings appear after that month ends.
Tap Add to my arsenal to save the model, product photo and factory surface to your own Current list. In your arsenal prevents duplicate imports. Tap a ball in Your arsenal to view factory specs and your personal setup. Choose Edit my ball to change the surface, upload your own photo or move it to Retired.
Use Add a ball manually for older, custom or unlisted models. The form is labeled Personal arsenal only: your entry, surface notes and uploaded photo save to your account’s arsenal and are never submitted to the shared library.
The shared catalog checks its sources once per calendar month. Check for updates reloads the latest saved catalog. The catalog works from a built-in copy if the connection is unavailable; images may need internet.
Example: Search Portal and tap its photo, name or View factory specs to open its details page, then choose Add to my arsenal. Change the factory surface description later if your pro shop resurfaces it.
Things to know
The library covers documented releases from January 1, 2025 onward, including worldwide database entries and ABS Japan products. It cannot guarantee every local brand, limited edition or local stock availability. Product names, specifications and photos are credited through each source link.
The public library contains catalog product information only and is shared by everyone. Each person’s arsenal is saved separately. Manually added balls do not appear in other users’ arsenals or the shared library. Importing a library model creates a personal copy; editing that copy never changes the shared listing. Catalog updates never replace your personal surfaces, photos or scores.
Everyone can browse the library, including view-only users and demo visitors. Adding and editing require the existing editing permission.
Monthly checks retain the last working catalog if a source fails. A month-only release is not an exact day; regional launches can differ.
Where: Bowling → Warm-Up, or Jump to section → Warm-Up & Stretching
Open the section to find the starter video. Tap Load video player to connect to YouTube and play it. Use Watch on YouTube if the creator or browser blocks embedding.
Tap Add routine to save a title, optional YouTube link, exercise instructions and personal notes. Put one exercise per line; include your preferred reps or duration.
Use Edit, Favorite, Move up, Move down and Remove to manage your collection. You can save text-only routines without a video.
Check off written exercises as you go. Reset today’s checkmarks clears them. Checkmarks last only for this open session; routine content saves locally and to your account’s cloud scorebook.
Example: Create My pre-league routine, paste a YouTube link, then type your preferred exercises on separate lines.
Things to know
These are your saved resources, not a personalized medical or rehabilitation plan. The starter video is a user-selected resource; its contents have not been reviewed.
Videos require internet and load only when you tap. Playback availability depends on YouTube and the creator’s settings.
Where: Stats → Trophy Case, or Jump to section → Trophy Case
Open Trophy Case to explore 60 badge types in six sections: Game & series scores, Split pickups, Strikes & strong finishes, Spares & clean bowling, Special scoring patterns, and Progress & milestones. Choose a league or bowler to filter the collection and history.
Each badge has achievement-specific artwork, including split-pin layouts, a turkey, score cups, medals and stepladders. The same artwork appears in celebrations and recap exports. Dimmed badges have not been earned yet. Test animation beneath any trophy or on its award page previews the celebration without adding an award or changing scores. Celebrations now match the achievement: split pins scatter, strike marks arrive in sequence, steps build upward, clean checks sweep into place, and score trophies rise or swing into view. Related tiers vary their counts and timing. This works for unearned trophies too, even when automatic animations are off; reduced-motion and sound preferences are respected. Tap any badge to see its rule and all matching awards, newest first. History initially shows 50 entries; Show 50 more awards reveals older results. Back to Trophy Case restores your previous scroll position and filters. The fixed navigation bar on every app page includes Top and Bottom buttons to jump to either end. A button is disabled when you are already at that end.
Enter frame scores for strike, spare and clean-bowling badges. For named split and corner-pin awards, open the frame editor, select the exact pins left after Ball 1, enter the second-ball score and save. The app verifies that the spare was made.
Series use saved game order for one bowler, league and date. All games in that series must be complete. Use Nights → Game order if you entered the games out of sequence.
Game-score and three-/four-game series score badges use the highest qualifying tier. Strike streak, club, above-average and other separate achievements can stack. A 225 Club Night also qualifies for 200 Club Night. A one-pin ladder also qualifies for Stepladder and Getting Stronger.
Open a league night recap to see the badges earned that night. JPEGs and printed recaps include badge graphics. Exported badge names follow the Share bowler names option. Lifetime and cross-night streak milestones appear on the night they are reached.
Saving a qualifying frame or game can show a short combined celebration for new awards and personal records. Merely opening the app, browsing existing awards, or editing notes does not replay earned badges. Settings → Sounds & animations controls effects; reduced motion keeps them still.
Example: A night of 199, 200 and 201 earns Stepladder, One-Pin Stepladder, Getting Stronger, Consistency King, a 600 Series badge, and two 200+ game badges. Frame-based awards depend on the actual frames and pin leaves recorded.
Things to know
Badges recalculate from saved records after edits, imports, deletion or game reordering. No separate award data or cloud schema is needed. Lifetime means the history saved in this scorebook, not games that have never been entered.
Each bowler has independent counts, averages and streaks. Name matching ignores capitalization and surrounding spaces. Unassigned games form their own group. Lifetime/streak milestones may include multiple leagues; a league filter shows the league where the milestone was earned.
Named split pickups require the exact first-ball leave. A manually marked split without pin identities may count toward Split Breaker/Collector but cannot earn a named split badge. Fill-ball pin layouts are not stored, so named split and corner-pin badges cover first-ball leaves in frames 1–10.
Strike-run badges stay within a single game and include legitimate fill-ball strikes. They are awarded once per qualifying tier per game. Spares such as 0 followed by 10 are not counted as strikes.
Clean and corner-pin streaks can span games and dates in recorded order. Missing frames, unresolved attempts and total-only games interrupt proof of a streak. Unidentified single-pin leaves also interrupt corner streaks. Other identified leaves do not interrupt a corner-pin run. Streak thresholds can be earned again after a run breaks.
The tenth frame counts once for clean streaks and must be complete. Single-Pin Perfection includes a single-pin fill-ball spare attempt after a tenth-frame strike. A lone fill ball after a tenth-frame spare is not a spare attempt.
Stepladder, One-Pin Stepladder, Triplicate and Consistency King require exactly three games. Getting Stronger, 200/225 Club Night and Single-Pin Perfection require three or four. Clean Series permits at least three, while Clean Four-Game Night requires exactly four. Four-game score badges are separate from 600/700/800 three-game badges.
Practice can earn game, frame, comeback and lifetime badges, but not series badges. Completed-game milestones and Split Collector unlock once per threshold per bowler. Streak and frame awards can be earned multiple times.
Above Average and Above and Beyond compare against the unrounded completed-game average on earlier dates for the same league and bowler, with at least three prior games. This is recorded history, not an official entering average. A game exactly 50 pins above that baseline qualifies for +50; 49.9 above does not.
The title screen has a one-time spotlight and bowling-strike entrance. ENTER becomes available once the app is ready. Replay strike repeats the entrance. Turn animations off in Settings or use your device’s reduced-motion setting for a still title screen. Your skip-title preference is kept.
Open Pocket Lanes and tap ENTER after startup finishes. Sign in with your approved account. Your scorebook is private to you and authorized staff. Community posts and Dad’s memories are shared with approved users only after Ron approves them.
Open More or Jump to section to find Bowlers, Leagues and Alleys. Members use their assigned bowler name and can add their own leagues, alleys and equipment. The owner’s scorebook supports multiple bowlers.
Use the fixed bottom bar: Back returns to the previous app page, Forward revisits a page after going back, and Home opens the dashboard. It remembers sections, badge categories, league-night selection and your scroll position during this open session. Grayed arrows mean there is no page in that direction. Close any open editor first. Reloading starts a new navigation history; scores are not affected.
Tap New game. Choose your bowler, league or Practice, date, start time and alley. Select one or two lanes and an oil pattern if known.
Choose Frame by frame to track individual deliveries, leaves and adjustments. Choose Game total only to save a final score without entering frames.
Save the game. For frame scoring, open a frame, enter the results and save. Completed frames advance to the next frame.
Check the cloud status before closing. For a copy outside the app, go to Settings and download the complete scorebook-and-photos ZIP.
Things to know
Try Scoring walkthrough first if you want to learn without changing your scorebook. A real game labeled Practice still belongs to your scorebook; the walkthrough is the isolated demonstration.
Use Home for an overview, Scores for games, Nights for a league/date session, Stats for analysis and Equipment for your arsenal.
Tap More to reveal Bowling, Stats, Equipment and Tools sections. Help & User Manual is under Tools. Jump to section is another direct route.
Tap a collapsed panel heading to reveal its controls. Many advanced tools and Settings panels are folded to keep everyday screens shorter.
Use Search your app to find app pages, your records, arsenal balls, ball and pattern libraries, and approved community posts and memories. Unlock the tournament preview to include tournament content. Results are ranked, five at a time; select Show 5 more to keep expanding. Search covers text, not words inside images.
Help For This Screen opens the chapter for the page you are viewing. On Home it opens the dashboard guide; the manual contents and search can take you to another topic.
Things to know
A game is one ten-frame score. A night groups games by league and date. A season is a date range used for analysis or a saved archive. Changing a game’s league/date can change which night it appears in.
Use the fixed bottom Back, Home, Forward, Top and Bottom buttons to navigate. Help and manual searches include current instructions, notes and examples; previously downloaded manuals remain unchanged until downloaded again.
Add each bowler with a consistent name. Select that saved bowler when creating games so their statistics stay together.
Use the bowler photo/logo option to add a recognizable picture. Review the selected image and save the profile.
Add leagues with names that distinguish the sessions you track. Use the league’s game button or choose it in New game.
Under Alleys, enter a 5-digit U.S. ZIP code and a whole-number radius from 1 to 100 miles, choose All bowling alleys or the Lucky Strike / AMF / Bowlero family, then tap Find alleys. Results are ordered by distance from the ZIP-code center, not driving distance. Each result shows its listed address, a View map link, and a source or center website link. Tap Add alley to save the name and address to your personal list; choose saved centers from the game dropdown.
Add alley manually still lets you type a name and optional address. Use Edit alley to correct either. Addresses save with your scorebook, cloud copy and backups.
The directory combines OpenStreetMap with official Lucky Strike-family bowling listings and verified independent additions such as Coram Country Lanes. It is a dated snapshot, so current provider results and distances can differ and some listings or addresses may be missing or outdated. Check the map before visiting; use a wider radius or manual entry if a center is missing. ZIP search is available when signed in, but the public sample demo does not contact the location service.
Things to know
Guest accounts and bowler profiles are different: creating a bowler does not grant someone access to the app.
Before large renaming or removal work, export a backup. Review affected games afterward.
Where: New game / Edit game details / Start league night
Find Lanes. Choose Not recorded, 1 lane or 2 lanes.
For one lane, choose its number from Lane 1. For two lanes, choose a different number in each dropdown.
Save. A pair is stored in ascending order with an ampersand. The app rejects duplicate lane numbers.
For an existing game, open Edit game details to change its lane selection.
Example: Choose 2 lanes, Lane 1 = 29 and Lane 2 = 30. The game shows 29 & 30.
Things to know
Unrecognized older lane text can be kept as saved, so editing another field does not erase it. Select a new numeric choice when you want to replace that older text.
Lane numbers describe the game’s lanes. Left/right in the frame editor describes which side you used for that frame; those are separate choices.
Choose PBA and Kegel patterns, view lane graphs, or add your own
Where: Equipment → Pattern Library; Oil pattern field in games and league nights
Open Equipment → Pattern Library. Search by name, organization, series or length; filter PBA/Kegel, difficulty, length or saved choices. Show more patterns expands the list.
Tap a pattern name or View lane graph & specs. The detail page shows the official graph, sheet version, length, oil volume and other published specs. Enlarge graph lets you inspect the chart; Open full pattern sheet goes to the official reference.
Tap Add to my patterns to keep that exact named version in your own dropdown. Manual entries remain personal. To add your own, tap Add patterns manually, enter one name per line, then Save.
Open New game, Edit game details or Start league night. Choose a saved name from the Oil pattern dropdown, or tap Browse PBA & Kegel patterns. Use this pattern fills the field without closing or discarding your form. Save the game/night form to keep your choice.
View selected pattern opens its reference while you keep editing. Saved pattern names in your scorebook and pattern list are clickable. If a manual name matches multiple versions, select the correct sheet; the app does not guess which year you bowled on.
To add a pattern while entering a game, choose Add a new oil pattern, type its name and save the form.
Use Remove from list to hide an unwanted choice. Your old games keep their recorded pattern. You can add the name again later.
Use the Oil-pattern notebook in Journal for detailed observations, length, ratio and attachments instead of putting all that information in the dropdown name.
Example: Enter House shot, Badger 50 ft and Kegel Arsenic 41 ft on three separate lines.
Things to know
The shared catalog includes current and historical published PBA sheets plus Kegel named series. Versions, machines and pump settings are kept separate. Every tournament-specific adjustment is not guaranteed to be included. Confirm the actual sheet with the center; unavailable specs are left unlisted.
Patterns already used in games or saved league-night defaults are offered automatically. New saved names are included in cloud saving and full scorebook backups. Read-only users and demo visitors can browse the shared library and graphs, but cannot add personal choices.
Capitalization-only duplicates are combined when saving names. This is your own list, not an automatically downloaded official pattern catalog.
For a strike, use the X shortcut for Ball 1. A strike ends frames 1–9; leave Ball 2 empty.
For a non-strike, tap the pins left standing after Ball 1. The app fills Ball 1 with 10 minus the number selected.
Enter Ball 2’s pinfall, or use the spare shortcut when all remaining pins are knocked down. Use the available scoring shortcuts for the selected delivery.
Choose the ball used, lane side and any optional notes or adjustments. Save the completed frame to advance.
In frame 10, enter bonus balls only when earned by a strike or spare. A strike on Ball 1 resets the pins for Ball 2; a non-strike on that rack limits the following shot to its remaining pins.
If a validation message appears, correct the highlighted scoring inconsistency and save again. Do not add pinfall beyond the pins available on that rack.
Example: Tap only pin 10 as standing: Ball 1 becomes 9. Enter 1 for Ball 2 to record the spare.
Things to know
Changing the first-ball leave clears later ball entries so you can re-enter them consistently. Check Ball 2 and any bonus balls after changing the leave.
Fouls score zero pins and can be marked with the foul controls. The scorecard records the mark separately from its numeric pinfall.
Leave-based statistics require standing pins to be recorded. A total score alone cannot reveal which spares or splits you left.
Enable Automatically alternate left/right lanes each frame.
In the first frame, choose Left lane of the pair or Right lane of the pair.
Save a completed frame. The next frame is offered the opposite side; check the choice before saving it.
Use Next-game starting lane in Settings to choose manual selection, the same starting side or the opposite side based on the same bowler’s previous game that night.
Override the frame’s lane-side choice if your actual lane differs.
Things to know
Alternation follows frames, not individual throws. Ball 2 and tenth-frame bonus balls stay on that frame’s lane.
Recording 29 & 30 does not by itself tell the app whether you started left or right. Choose the initial side. Existing frame lane choices are retained.
Select a saved league rule set or Custom calculation.
Enter an average manually, choose a saved bowler’s recorded average, or use the saved official entering-average shortcut when a record exists.
Set the league’s base average, percentage, rounding method and any cap. Confirm these settings against the actual league rules.
Read the result and verify the inputs before using it. Use the team or team-difference section only if it matches your league’s handicap method.
Keep official entering averages in the corresponding records so you can choose them later.
Example: With average 180, base 220 and 90%, the unrounded handicap is (220 − 180) × 0.90 = 36. Different rounding or caps can change other examples.
Things to know
Averages at or above the base produce zero handicap. The calculator does not determine which average your league requires.
Selecting an official record identifies its source and can load its matching league rules. Check the visible note and all inputs. It does not change saved game scores.
Manage your arsenal, surfaces and pro-shop information
Where: Equipment → Your arsenal / Ball Library / Pro shop
Open Browse Ball Library to add a recent release with its photo and factory surface, or use Add manually for any older or unlisted ball.
Place it in Current or Retired and use the order controls to arrange your list.
Recognized ball models show a product photo automatically, including supported names imported from Best Bowling. Tap a ball, choose Edit my ball, then use Your ball photo to add your own image.
Choose the ball in the frame editor when you want shot-level equipment statistics. Check it after a ball change.
Use Ball maintenance and Ball surface history to record cleaning, resurfacing and other work with dates.
Open Pro shop to save fit/drilling information and associated equipment documents. Use the printable arsenal sheet when useful.
Use Ball bag planner to organize a planned selection for an alley or event.
Things to know
The arsenal surface is the current description; it is not automatically a historical measurement for every old shot. Date your maintenance and surface records.
Automatic photos work in Current and Retired. Your uploaded photo always takes priority. Include the full model and version in the name for the correct image; an unrecognized model still lets you add your own photo.
Retiring a ball keeps its history available. Equipment rename handling updates linked records, but review important references after a rename.
Older, custom and other manually entered balls belong to your personal arsenal. They are not published to the shared Ball Library or copied into other users’ arsenals.
Practice drills, challenges and the safe scoring walkthrough
Where: More → Practice or Scoring walkthrough
Use Scoring walkthrough to rehearse pin selection, scoring, tenth-frame bonuses and undo. Its demonstration does not save games to your real scorebook.
In Practice, add a drill with the bowler, goal and target attempts. Record made or missed attempts and use undo for a mistaken entry.
Use challenges for repeated practice sessions and review the stored results.
Review Spare practice priorities to choose leaves that deserve attention, remembering that its suggestions depend on your recorded attempts.
Things to know
Practice drill results are kept separate from league score averages. A real scorebook game assigned to Practice is a different kind of record.
The app does not verify technique, sensor calibration or physical lane conditions.
Where: More → Standings / Tournaments / Calendar / Seasons
Enter league standings and weekly opponent/results records when you want them tracked alongside your scores.
Open Tournaments for the password-protected Future NY State Area Upcoming Tournaments preview, favorites, flyers and owner-approved submissions. Your personal tournament records are separate; use them to track your own results and plans.
Add calendar events, then use a download control to obtain a calendar file for your calendar application.
Use series goals and the “What do I need to win?” tools with the correct completed scores and target. Check remaining-game assumptions.
Use lineups, absentee records, checklists and season tools only where they match your actual league format.
Things to know
Shared upcoming listings refresh weekly from the configured event source and remove expired events from upcoming views. Your own standings, results and private tournament records still rely on your entries.
Downloading a calendar file is a snapshot, not a live two-way calendar connection. If you edit the event later, review/update your calendar copy.
Choose the correct night and use Score-sheet photos to attach a readable image. Wait for the upload confirmation.
Choose a recap design: Flashy is the default when you have not selected one; saved Clean or Dad tribute choices are kept. Recaps include a bold score summary, large game scores and color-coded achievement shields. Create a new recap image to use the updated design. Long recaps split into numbered JPEGs.
Review names, scores and any sharing options before sending the image. Use the download/open/share controls provided by the viewer.
On iPhone, use the browser’s available Save Image, Share or Save to Files action. If a direct Photos option is unavailable, save the JPEG to Files and open/share it from there.
Tap Dad’s logo to open it full size. Use the viewer’s Back/close control to return to the app.
Things to know
Photo uploads need a working connection. Score-sheet attachments do not create scores automatically.
Changing recap options affects a newly generated image, not a file already downloaded or sent. Confirm the saved file exists before closing the viewer.
The app cannot silently place a file in iPhone Photos; the browser/phone controls that permission and destination.
Where: Scorebook → game → Fill frames from screenshot
Create and save a frame-by-frame game with the correct bowler, league and date, or find an existing game in the Scorebook. Tap Fill frames from screenshot beside Edit score / frames.
Choose a JPEG, PNG or WebP screenshot. Select Whole game (10 frames), or One frame and its target frame number.
Drag a box around only the delivery marks for one bowler: X, /, digits, F or dashes. Leave frame numbers and cumulative totals outside the box. The sliders fine-tune the selection. Adjust Tenth-frame width if its cell is wider. The ten outlined boxes must match the ten frames; irregular or wrapped layouts should be read one frame at a time.
For a dark screen with light marks, select Light text on a dark score screen. Tap Read selected marks. The reader works locally in your browser; internet is needed to download recognition files.
Review the editable delivery marks for every frame against the image. Correct mistakes and select only frames you want to apply. Unread or invalid text is not automatically selected. X is a strike, / a spare, – a miss, and F a foul. Tenth-frame examples include XXX, X7/ and 9/X.
Optionally enter the final score shown in the screenshot. The calculated complete-game score must match it before saving. Clear this optional check when importing a partial game.
Check the review confirmation and tap Apply reviewed frames. Only selected frames are changed. Cancel or close without saving to discard the draft.
The older Read a score screenshot panel still supports verified game-total entry as a new game if only a final total is available.
Things to know
Recognition is not guaranteed. Real scoring-screen and iPhone recognition testing remains outstanding; verify every selected frame. Total-only screenshots cannot reconstruct delivery marks, and multiple bowlers are not combined.
Notes, balls and unselected frames are preserved. If rolls change, old leave, split and spare-category details are cleared; enter exact pin identities separately. Applying frames switches a total-only game to frame scoring.
Screenshot images are not uploaded or retained in saved games. Reading alone does not save. Invalid pin counts, a changed target game, or a mismatched optional final score prevent saving.
Images must be under 20 MB and 40 megapixels. Cancel reading or try a smaller crop if recognition takes too long.
Export a session as CSV from the sensor manufacturer’s app. Availability depends on that app and plan; check with the manufacturer.
Choose the CSV in Sensor session imports. Review the preview and session name, date, bowler and ball.
Map columns to the offered metrics. Mark unavailable metrics Not included instead of guessing a column.
Select the correct speed and loft units. Confirm the source units for rotation/tilt and other values.
Save the reviewed session. Review the numeric counts, excluded rows, averages and ranges, or download its saved table.
Things to know
This is file importing, not live Bluetooth pairing or automatic cloud syncing from the manufacturer. Sensor rows stay separate from bowling scores.
Witsee-specific compatibility still needs an actual export to verify its columns and units. Direct sensor connections require a supported manufacturer integration.
Duplicate import protection does not replace checking whether you selected the right file. Keep the original CSV if you need to investigate values.
Where: Reopen the same form type; Settings → Unfinished form drafts
Type text and make selections as usual. Draft values are retained on this device for supported editing forms.
If you close the form before saving, reopen that form type and choose Review draft when offered.
Check the draft labels and values, then Apply values only if they belong to the record you intend to edit.
Reselect any photo or file. Review all fields and Save to commit the actual record.
Use Unfinished form drafts in Settings to inspect the list or discard an unwanted draft.
Things to know
Drafts are local text/selections, not a cloud backup and not saved record changes. Up to 40 recent form drafts are retained.
A draft is associated with a form type and section, so the same type of form may be opened for a different record. Verify the intended game/person before applying it.
Frame drafts have their own handling. Browser data clearing or switching devices can remove access to local drafts.
After saving, read the status. “Saved on this device · waiting to sync” means the device copy is saved but cloud confirmation is still pending.
Keep a working connection and wait for “Saved on device & private cloud” or the latest confirmed cloud-save time.
If syncing fails, restore connectivity and use Sync now. Keep the device copy until you know it has uploaded.
Before moving to another device, confirm the cloud save on the original device. Sign in with the correct account on the other device and wait for it to load.
Export a complete backup before clearing browser storage, changing browsers or making a major data replacement.
Things to know
Browser storage and cloud storage are distinct. Safari, another browser and a Home Screen installation may not share the same local copy.
Offline reopening is not yet guaranteed. An already-open page may retain local edits, but that is not a promise that the app will launch without service.
Site hosting, account access and independent backup files are separate. Keep exports rather than assuming any hosted app is available forever.
Pause edits on other devices while you decide which copy to keep.
Export the device copy and download the cloud copy for comparison before replacing either one.
Expand the comparison to review changed games, sections and individual field differences. Check dates, game IDs and the actual values.
Choose Use cloud copy to replace the device scorebook, or Keep this device’s copy to replace the cloud scorebook, only after reviewing the consequences.
Wait for sync confirmation, then reopen the other device and verify the chosen records.
Things to know
The comparison is a review tool, not a field-by-field merge editor. The choice uses a whole copy.
Array positions can shift when records are inserted or reordered. Detailed differences are capped and long values shortened; use full downloaded copies when the table is insufficient.
If you need records from both versions, preserve both exports first. Backup merging adds missing records under its existing rules; it is not guaranteed to resolve every conflicting field.
Choose Download scorebook & all photos (.zip). Keep the app connected while it fetches all referenced night/rules photos.
Wait for the download request, then check Files or your browser’s Downloads to confirm the ZIP actually saved.
Keep the ZIP private because it includes your scorebook and associated photos.
Also use Download app code & images (.zip) if you want an independent copy of the application source and bundled visual assets.
Save another dated backup before bulk editing, restoring or switching browser storage.
Things to know
A complete download aborts if a required photo cannot be fetched; retry rather than treating a partial attempt as a full backup.
The data package does not include private person notes, guest logs or older cloud snapshot history. The source package does not include live scores or secrets.
A source ZIP is not an instantly hosted replacement app. Moving hosts requires new hosting, storage and sign-in configuration.
For a selective ZIP, choose the league, bowler and date range you need, then export the selection.
Read the export explanation: related games, referenced equipment and matching records/photos can be included.
Keep a complete backup too. Selective backups intentionally omit unrelated or unlinked material.
For game-total CSV imports, review the displayed columns, mapping and preview before committing records. Confirm scores, dates and bowlers.
Use selected game exports for a smaller table when that is enough for your purpose.
Things to know
Night-level records may include other bowlers from the same league/date even when the selected games are filtered to one bowler. Review a file before sharing it.
Restoring a selective ZIP replaces the scorebook with that selected subset; it does not simply add a few games.
CSV totals do not supply frame-level leaves or pinfall. Sensor CSV importing is a separate workflow in Practice.
Where: Settings → Restore complete ZIP backup / Cloud backup history
Before restoring, export your current data so you can return to it if necessary.
Choose an original Pocket Lanes data ZIP in Restore complete ZIP backup. Keep its internal filenames and contents unchanged.
Review the validation result. Use Restore verified backup only when you intend to replace the scorebook.
Wait while photos are restored. If an upload or validation fails, resolve the issue and retry; do not assume the restore completed.
After success, check representative games and open a rules/night photo. Confirm cloud saving has completed.
For JSON imports, review Merge missing games versus Replace everything. For a prior cloud version, inspect Cloud backup history and its restore controls.
Things to know
A source-code ZIP is not a scorebook backup. ZIP validation checks archive integrity and referenced photo files.
Merge generally keeps existing entries when IDs already exist; it is not a guaranteed combined resolution of conflicting edits.
Previous local saves and cloud snapshots are recovery aids, not substitutes for your own downloaded backups. Test recovery using sample data when possible; do not replace real data merely to experiment.
Ron’s header has one Alerts & Approvals button showing the combined count of unread feedback, Dad’s memories awaiting approval, Community posts and tournaments awaiting approval, and pending member accounts, including 0. Tap it to see each category and its count, then tap a category to open its page. Member approvals opens Members & roles filtered to pending accounts. Opening the menu never marks feedback read or approves anything. Counts refresh every minute while the app is visible, on returning to the app, and after relevant changes. A ! means counts may be out of date; open the menu and tap Refresh alerts. These are in-app notifications, not phone push notifications. Account creation timestamps show the full day of the week, date and time in your device’s local timezone. Older ChatGPT-only or preassigned entries may have no recorded login creation date. The screenshot service is excluded from members and totals. Ron: totals at the top show Total listed, Owner, Member, Viewer, Pending approval and Blocked. Tap any total to filter the member list by that role; Pending approval shows only accounts waiting for approval. Tap Total listed to show everyone again. Totals always count all accounts, and the selected filter stays active after refreshes, role changes and deletions. Find the person by email, select Member and tap Save role. People with a saved role keep it. Other accounts need your approval.
Use the ← Title screen button in the app header to return to the opening screen anytime, even if Skip this screen next time is enabled. It keeps your current screen and scores; Enter returns you to the app. The title screen offers View as guest below Enter for everyone, including signed-in members. It opens the fictional sample-data demo without signing you out. The login page also offers View demo as guest at /demo. It opens the app navigation with fictional data, including Home, Scores, Nights, Stats, Equipment and the More menu, without an account. Private member administration is excluded. Guests can try adding or editing fictional samples; demo changes remain in that tab and reset on reload. The demo does not load real scorebooks. Share the app link. New people create an email/password account, confirm their email, and sign in. Their account appears as Pending approval. Choose Viewer or Member and save to approve access. You can also preassign a role with Set up another person. This does not send an email.
Member: open the link in Safari or Chrome and sign in with your own email/password. No ChatGPT account is required for email login. After approval or a role change, reload when prompted. Use Forgot password to request a reset email.
Ron: in Settings → Members & roles, tap Send password reset next to the person’s email. If they have an email/password account, a reset link is requested for that address. They choose the new password; you do not see it. Check spam if needed. This does not change their role or bowling records and cannot reset a ChatGPT password.
Ron: use Create account for someone to enter a bowler name, email, starting password twice, and role. This requires your owner email/password sign-in. It creates an activated login without sending an email; give the person their password privately and share the login link. Existing logins are never replaced by this form. A preassigned profile keeps its locked bowler name. Ron: sign in with your owner email/password, then use Set password beside any account in Members & roles, including Admin, Member, Viewer, Pending, Blocked and your own Owner account. Enter the new password twice. For another person, give it to them privately. For your Owner account, use the new password on your next sign-in. Only the owner can use these controls; passwords must be 10–128 characters. You cannot view their previous password.
Delete user permanently removes the person’s login and personal cloud scores, photos, backups and visit entries. Review the email shown, tick the confirmation checkbox, then tap Permanently delete. No email typing is required. The owner account cannot be deleted. Direct deletion requires signing in with the configured owner email and its Pocket Lanes password. Errors stay visible in the dialog. If cleanup fails, the account remains blocked; refresh and retry Delete user. Downloaded and offline copies cannot be removed remotely. The public lifetime Total Users and Site Visits counters are retained; the current member-directory totals can decrease because that directory shows current accounts.
Your member scorebook starts empty with your assigned bowler. Enter game totals or frames, leagues, notes and your own equipment. Cloud saving and backups use your own records.
Ron can change a Member to Viewer or Blocked at any time. Viewer reads only that person’s own scorebook; Blocked denies access. Saved member data is retained and returns if Member access is restored.
Things to know
Registered users can choose Original, Ocean blue, Royal purple, Forest green, Sunset red or Midnight silver using Colors in the header. Pick any color opens the device’s native color picker and switches to Custom color. You can return to a preset anytime. Dark backgrounds and readable text are generated around the selected accent color. This preference is saved for that account on this browser/device; it does not change anyone else’s colors or scores. High contrast takes priority. Your title-screen personal scorebook label uses your assigned bowler name. Your assigned bowler name stays fixed. Members cannot see or edit Ron’s scores or another person’s records. Ron can view every account’s data using View data in Members & roles.
Changing an app role does not change Site editor privileges and does not invite an uninvited person.
The login page is publicly reachable; bowling data remains protected by sign-in and owner approval. Email confirmation and password reset depend on Supabase email delivery and redirect settings. Existing ChatGPT sign-in remains available, including for the owner. Do not turn off email confirmation.
An open app checks for role/account changes on focus and about every 30 seconds. The server enforces the current role on each request, even before reload.
Where: Settings → Members & roles / Guest login log
Use View As Guest on the welcome screen or View Demo As Guest on sign-in to open /demo without an account. The demo uses fictional sample records; sample edits reset on reload.
Real scorebooks require sign-in and approval. Other ordinary members cannot browse your private scores, notes, photos or equipment; Ron and authorized staff have account-management access. Approved Community posts and Dad’s memories are intentionally shared.
Shared guest scorebooks are disabled. Each non-owner sees only their personal records. Review recap options before sending exported images outside the app.
Open Members & roles to see current app roles and change any non-owner to Viewer, Member or Blocked. Select the role and tap Save role. The owner cannot be demoted. New email/password accounts appear after confirming email and signing in. Pending and blocked people cannot open scorebooks. Roles change access immediately on the server.
In Guest login log, view recorded visitor email addresses and visit times. Use Refresh or Load older visits as needed. A historical visit does not mean the person still has access. Tap Private note beside a member or guest to read or write your owner-only note about that person. The same email opens the same saved note in both lists. Save note keeps you on the list, and Close returns to it. Notes are saved separately from bowling records and are not visible to members or admins. If saving fails, your draft stays in the editor so you can retry.
Things to know
Viewers cannot save changes or see other accounts. Members can save only their own assigned bowler’s games. Their scorebook, photos and backups are isolated from other users; Ron, as owner, can view them all. Only the owner can manage roles or read the visitor log. Server authorization is checked on every request. In Members & roles, Ron can tap View data for any person, including Viewers or Blocked accounts with saved records. This opens a read-only scorebook in a new tab. Inspect all saved scorebook data shows the complete record, including notes. Return to my scorebook switches back to Ron’s records.
Repeated page opens can be grouped for 30 minutes. Entries represent recorded signed-in visits, not a precise record of every authentication or time spent. Dates include the full day of the week, and times are shown in New York time.
Automatic Sites screenshot-service visits are excluded from the displayed log and new recording.
The public sample demo is available. It does not expose real scorebooks, private logs, pending submissions or member administration. The public counters show only lifetime totals; deleting an account does not subtract from them.
Use Larger text, High contrast and Larger scoring buttons in Accessibility & scoring preferences as needed.
Choose sound and animation preferences where offered. Sound playback may require a tap before the browser allows it.
Use Skip this screen next time on the title screen if you prefer to enter directly.
Work through the iPhone check in Settings using Scoring walkthrough for scoring practice, then verify photo viewing, downloads and cloud saving.
Use the regular Back/close buttons to leave image/report viewers and return to the app.
Things to know
Device preferences are separate from the shared scorebook and may need setting again in another browser.
Hands-on iPhone verification is still outstanding. A checklist tick records your check; it is not an automated certification.
Use Add To Home Screen to open Pocket Lanes in an app-style window. It remains a web app, not an App Store app. Offline reopening is available only after eligible signed-in users enable and refresh it on their own device; see the Offline Access chapter.
Where: Start with the relevant screen and cloud status
Missing games: check the selected bowler, league, dates and score format; then confirm the account and cloud status. Export the current copy before restoring another one.
Cannot save a frame: check the available pins, missing earlier balls, leave count and tenth-frame bonus eligibility. Read the error rather than repeatedly tapping Save.
Cannot see a tool: exit Bowling Mode, open More, and expand its panel. If you are a guest, editing controls are intentionally unavailable.
Photo upload fails: check the connection, try a smaller clear JPEG/PNG, and wait for completion before leaving. A replacement failure should keep the old attachment.
Screenshot recognition fails: crop to one bowler, improve clarity and retry, or type the verified total manually. Do not save a guessed OCR result.
Download seems missing: check Files/Downloads and the browser’s share options. “Download requested” does not confirm that iOS saved it.
Cloud versions differ: follow the conflict guide and preserve both exports. Avoid clearing storage or choosing a replacement until you know which data you need.
If a problem persists, note the screen, action, exact message and whether it happens again. Send a screenshot with private guest emails or other sensitive details cropped when they are not needed.
Things to know
Try refreshing only after checking unsaved work and local/cloud status. Do not clear site data as a first troubleshooting step.
Use the manual search to find a feature and read its limitations before relying on it.
Download the HTML manual for a readable offline reference. Use Open / Print manual and your browser’s Print/Save as PDF option for a printable copy.
After an app update, use the online manual and What’s new to check revised behavior. Older downloaded copies do not update themselves.
Things to know
Under construction: the tournament section requires a preview password for everyone, including the owner. Direct live sensor pairing and hands-on iPhone verification remain outstanding. The guest sample demo is available, and eligible users can enable limited offline reopening.
Available with limits: screenshot reading requires manual review; sensor CSV imports need verification against the manufacturer’s actual export; saved form drafts retain text and selections, not file attachments; offline downloads need refreshing at least every 7 days.
The in-app and downloadable manuals are generated from the same source during each build. Feature changes still require a documentation review; generation alone cannot discover new behavior.
The app footer and login screen show the current Version number and Updated date (New York date). The guest demo shows the same number. Each published app update increases the version; multiple edits shipped together share one version. This edition also documents owner-managed roles and isolated member scorebooks. It contains instructions and fictional examples, not a copy of your scores or guest list.