Well, to start off, I have never bowled an 800 series. My highest being a 791. Well on Sunday I have another opportunity. First game- 254 with one open (chopped 3,6,10). Second game-278. Third game front 4, 9/ in 5th. Strike 6,7,8,9. Get in tenth frame and throw the worst ball all night. Totally pulled the ball to leave a 7 count. Spare it up then strike for a 256 for a 788.
For the tenth, I made sure I went through pre-shot routine, felt comfortable (a little nervous) to only still throw a bad shot! Any advice on how to get over that high hurdle? Still SMH

There is no one magical thing you can do except to keep giving yourself chances.  I threw 6 790s before I finally cracked the number.  When I did, it was 834.  It is like shooting any high score.  The first is always the hardest.  Main thing is dont deviate from anything you do for the first 2.5 games.  If you are sitting around talking to people, then continue to do so.  Dont think to yourself that just because you are turning the corner with a bunch that now you have to start being a loner and wandering off by yourself (not saying you are doing this.  Just citing an example).  Just make sure you arent doing anything that makes you think about what you have and what you need to get over the hump.  Just keep going through the routine and eventually it will happen.

I hear ya. I guess I might feel a little better if I had thrown a pretty good shot and not got the strike (I still would feel bad). But I did not give myself a chance by throwing a bad shot which is what gets me. I didn't do anything different with respect to my changing behavior (i.e- walking the lanes, start being by myself). I am a little superstitious so I made sure I stayed consistent in between shots. But I did start thinking I had a chance for 800 about half way in the third game (which is kind of hard not to). I just have to keep plugging away, like you guys said and hopefully it will come. Thanks