Five consecutive strikes in bowling are most often called a five-bagger. While not as famous as a turkey for three strikes, the five-bagger marks a significant achievement for serious bowlers.
Common names for five strikes
The term five-bagger is the most widely accepted name for five consecutive strikes. It follows a simple naming pattern where "bagger" refers to the number of strikes in a row—like a four-bagger for four strikes. The word likely comes from the idea of "bagging" each frame successfully.
Some bowlers, particularly in competitive or regional leagues, use the term droat. Its origin is unclear, but it has gained traction in certain bowling communities. Despite its use, droat is not universally recognized and may not be understood outside specific circles.
Why five strikes don’t have a standard name
Three strikes in a row earned the name turkey from old bowling promotions that gave actual turkeys as prizes. That name stuck in popular culture. But there was never a similar promotion or cultural moment for five strikes, so no single nickname became standard.
As a result, bowling lacks an official or universally agreed-upon term for five consecutive strikes. The absence of a catchy, widely adopted name means most players fall back on the straightforward five-bagger.
Regional and international variations
Bowling slang varies by location. In parts of the United Kingdom, five strikes might be called a fiver or a handful—simple, descriptive terms without the flair of American slang. These names reflect a more literal approach to the game.
In Australia, some refer to a five-strike run as a baker's trio, though this term is rare and not widely understood even there. International broadcasts usually stick to American terms like five-bagger to avoid confusion.
Confusion with frame count and scoring
Beginners often misunderstand when a five-strike streak actually occurs. A strike in the fifth frame only means one strike for that frame, not five in a row. A true five-bagger means strikes in five consecutive frames, regardless of when they start.
The tenth frame can also cause confusion. If a bowler rolls strikes in the eighth, ninth, and tenth frames (including both bonus balls), they may complete a five-strike streak at the end of the game. These final strikes count as part of a continuous run, not separate events.
Myths and misconceptions
You might hear terms like mastodon or pterodactyl for five strikes, but these are made up and not used in real bowling circles. Four strikes in a row are officially called a hambone, a name popularized by broadcaster Rob Stone. But five in a row has no official animal or themed nickname.
The lack of a standardized term leads to creative guesses, but in official scoring and most leagues, five-bagger remains the safest and clearest way to describe the feat.