This system has stood the test of time as there have only been minor alterations made to it over the years. Additionally, ASFA's Lifetime Top 20 list is based on the Bowen System. To compute Bowen points, the following list of "rules" has been created:
In a given stake (or flight, should the stake be split), any hound finishing 1st through NBQ shall be awarded Bowen points. One point is awarded for each placing hound; on top of that, an additional point is awarded for each hound defeated. For example, in a 10-hound stake, the fourth place hound would receive a total of seven Bowen points, one for placing and one for each hound defeated (six in this instance). A simple formula for determining Bowen points is:
In the event a stake is split into multiple flights, an overall stake winner shall be determined. That winner will receive a Bowen point for each hound in the stake. For example, in a three flight stake of 10 hounds each, the overall stake winner receives 30 Bowen points. No additional points would be awarded to the other flight winners.
Hounds winning Best of Breed receive a Bowen point for each hound in its breed. This is the case whether BOB is run off or if it is forfeited. For example, a breed has four hounds entered in Open, nine in FCH, and three in Veteran. The Veteran forfeits the BOB run, and the Open defeats the FCH. The Open hound would then receive 16 Bowen points for winning Best of Breed.
Hounds do not receive any additional Bowen points for winning Best in Field. The maximum number of Bowen points a hound may receive is the number of hounds in its breed.
In the event that a tie for a placement is not broken, Bowen points shall be divided evenly between the affected hounds. All points shall be whole numbers only, with any fractions being dropped. For example, in a seven-hound stake, an unbroken tie for 4/NBQ will result in each hound receiving three Bowen points (four points for fourth place added to three points for NBQ and then divided by the two hounds; the resulting number of three and a half 3.5) is then truncated such that each hound receives three Bowen points).
Hounds invalidly entered in a stake (or flight) shall not receive any Bowen points, regardless of where the hounds place. However, an invalid hound shall count as an eligible hound for any hound that defeats it. For example, an invalid hound places third in a six hound stake. It receives no Bowen points, but the hounds placing first and second received six and five points respectively.