Bowling is a sport in which players attempt to score points by rolling a bowling ball along a flat surface, with the goal of knocking down as many pins as possible. The game is played on a rectangular lane, with a target known as a pinsetter or automatic scorer that automatically detects and registers the number of pins knocked down. Bowlers use a variety of techniques to achieve their aim, including spinning the ball, using different hand positions, and applying various amounts of force. The game is typically played in teams or individually, with scoring based on the number of pins knocked down, as well as bonuses for strikes (knocking down all ten pins) and spares (knocking down nine pins). Bowling has been popular since at least the 17th century, and is played in many countries around the world.