A Statistical Analysis of the Fairness of Alternative Handicapping Systems in Ten-Pin Bowling

摘要

Using data on approximately 1040 games of bowling, we examine the fairness of alternative handicapping systems in ten-pin bowling. The objective of a handicap system is to allow less-skilled bowlers to compete against more skilled opponents on a level playing field. We show that the current systems used in many leagues do not achieve this objective and we propose a new optimal system which equalizes the playing field across all potential match-ups.