Abstract: An automatic pinsetter employing magnetically responsive bowling pins, an elevator mechanism for retrieving bowling pins from a pit area adjacent an end portion of a bowling alley and for transporting the same to a pin discharge station above a transfer mechanism. The pins are arranged in bowling array on a transfer mechanism which is thereafter moved horizontally beneath a pinsetting mechanism. The pinsetting mechanism employs magnetic means for elevating the pins, the transfer mechanism is retracted from beneath the pinsetting mechanism, and the latter thereupon deposits the pins on the bowling alley in bowling array. The pinsetting mechanism is also adapted to pick-up and replace remaining upright pins after a first ball has been thrown whether the pins reside in "on spot" or "off spot" positions.