I have a question on what is legal on pin deck width.  Our local center has pin decks that are narrower that the lane width which I assume is 40 board (lane).  The pin decks appear to be synthetic but appear to be about one board less on each end resulting in a 38 board width.  Why would these be?  I can actually see it from the approach area on all the lanes.  This starts at the pin deck above the headpin and follows all the way back. Just curious as I have had times where I threw at a ten pin and look like it might get it (if it hooked a little) only to have it fall off right the end.  I assumethat one board could make a difference between hanging on and falling off.  I have compensated by moving deeper and going more direct to avoid that fall off area.  Anyone have any thoughts on why the pin decks would be narrower than the lane? Is this legal?  Would this not contribute to higher scoring as the leading edge is now closer to the 7 and 10 pin meaning pins could come out of gutter easier to get those pins.  Thoughts?

I don't know if/why the deck is different. I've never looked at it that close.  I do, however know that there are 39 boards on the lane:

1-19 right side                 19
1-19 left side                + 19
20th board in the middle. +1
                              equals 39 total