We can thank Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, the inventor of bowling, for introducing “The pin is mightier than the sword” and “Fortune favors the bowled” into the cultural lexicon. Heed his words of wisdom with today’s Groupon: for $12, you get a summer membership to Holiday Bowl, a $48 estimated value (based on two visits per month—value could be much higher, depending on frequency of visits). Membership includes one free game per visit, $1 subsequent games, $1 hot dogs and $1 soda, and $2 shoe rental. Take advantage of your membership every day of the week from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Holiday Bowl’s shiny, modern pin farm features 32 lanes with automatic scoring and, for those bowlers still on their training balls, optional automatic bumpers. The family-friendly atmosphere extends to the blinking, flashing arcade complete with classics such as air hockey, Ridge Racer, and all the nostalgic light-gun-blasting games from youthful Saturday afternoons of yore.

The alley's restaurant, the appropriately sports bar-y and television-studded 300 Club, keeps a full menu more diverse than usual nacho-cheese covered fare—especially evident with its green-chile cheeseburger. It also claims to be Albuquerque's only "Extreme Vodka Venue," pouring no less than 50 bowling-performance-enhancing varieties.

Excludes evening games. All discounts are valid for the individual customer only, but no limit on how many people per party can use a Groupon. Each customer is limited to four games per visit. Membership expires September 1, 2010.