What score does my team get when a bowler is absent or a roster spot is empty?

USBC defaults, which a league can change by rule. Either score can be used only when your team has a legal lineup present.

Absentee score: a rostered bowler is absent and no substitute bowls.

• Each game = the absent bowler's current average minus 10 pins. A league can change the number of pins but must deduct the same pins for everyone (not a percentage).
• No established average yet: 120.
• Handicap is based on the bowler's actual current average (or on 120).
• Teams with extra roster players use the absentee with the most games bowled, then the lower absentee score if tied.

Vacancy score: the team's roster has fewer bowlers than the league's team size.

• Each game = 120 in adult leagues.
• Handicap is based on 120 and isn't limited (a league rule can restrict vacancy handicap).
• A team with a full roster can't use a vacancy score just because a regular is missing.

Match points (match point leagues): when you're bowling against an absentee or vacancy, you must bowl at least your average minus 10 to win the individual point (unless the league sets another number). Against an absentee, if you don't reach that score the point goes to the absent bowler, unless league rules say otherwise.