What is a split in bowling?

Answer 1

A split is an arrangement where there are separate standing pins, or groups of pins, with pins between them having been knocked down by the first ball rolled. The most extreme separation would exist when only the 7 pin (leftmost on rear row) and the 10 pin (rightmost on rear row) are left standing, e.g. a 7-10 split. There may be more than one way to knock down all of the remaining pins to complete a "spare" with the second ball. To do so is to "make the split."

According to rule 2h of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC):

A split is a setup of pins left standing after the first delivery, provided the head pin is down and at least one other pin is down:

1. Between two or more standing pins; e.g., 7-9 or 3-10.

2. Immediately ahead of two or more standing pins; e.g., 5-6.