Ok all, I know this may seem a bit outlandish, but I am indecisive when going to tournaments and what to bring.

 

So here is what I have. Mind you I am right handed, med-high speed, med revs

 

Pin directly under ring Cruel (oob)

Pin above and slightly right of ring Swagga (oob+polish)

Pin above bridge Chalk (1500+polish)

Pin above and left of middle Reign (1000+polish)

Pin above ring Wicked Seige (thanks BrunsNick) (oob)

Pin above bridge The One (oob)

Stacked Wired (oob)

Natural (cannot remember layout, use this for spares as well as dry conditions) (oob)

 

I am looking to bring 5, maybe 6. I wieghed them out and both bags would be under 50lbs if I bring two 3 tourney totes

Whatever you bring, make sure you bring at least a couple strong pieces with surface, especially for team. The shot at Reno is moderate length, but uses a very high volume of oil on slick Anvilane synthetics. I couldn't get anything to budge on the fresh last year. Even a sanded Cell couldn't hit the pocket rolling directly up 10. (I have less hand than most, but even then I normally have no trouble getting a ball to at least hook a couple boards!) However, trying to throw something with a strong layout will get you in trouble. You need to really control the midlane and keep the ball in play. As the day goes on, the shot certainly dries up, but a lot depends on who you cross with, and what people played the lanes before you when you bowl on the burn in singles and doubles. In singles, I ended up playing 20 at the arrows to 12-13 at the breakpoint with a sanded 5x5x3 Gravity Shift. If I threw anything polished, it labored on the carrydown, and I had to move as far left as I could to put myself in a position where I had some oil left for hold and a little extra dry right for some bounce if I got it wide. (And even then I still only had a 2-3 board area at the breakpoint assuming my ball speed and the roll off my hand were identical to the previous shots.)

A few things to also think about;

 

Practice! Be prepared to play any part of the lane that will give you a comfortable look and confidence to repeat shots. Have a plan. What type of bowlers will be on your team? Crankers,strokers. Can everyone play a similar line?

 

Last year I had my best scores playing outside 5, as at teams we rolled a 500 grit ball up the track to create some hold. I also watched a few squads to find bowlers with similar styles ( power tweener ).  For me I tried bringing 5-6 balls but that didn't work, only added confusion and more balls to carry..lol. So I only bring 2. I shot 1824 all-events with a 540 in singles (ran out of gas). At my age I needed another hour of rest; to anxious to bowl. Try to relax, make spares and have fun. Good luck.

 

Here is a pic of the ball I used:

 http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/9orbetter/Brunswick/FocusZone2.jpg

 

 

 

Edited by 9orbetter on 2/17/2011 at 10:53 AM