You should have seen the original venue.  My old 'hood.

The old place was a blast.

I have been going to the Peterson for over 10 years I have a great time. My group has been going for about 20. Every year we try and bring a newbie . I always get a kick out of the new guy  he thinks because he has 220 + Ave he is going to win it. I win more money betting the new guy he will not break 1400, then in the tournament they all take the bet.  Our newbie shot 1050 this year with only 1 game over 140 and a 94. He was talking to himself by the 3rd game.  This year is the last year for the 2 ball max. I Bring a spare ball and a Pin in Pap layout no need for anything else for me. On some lanes the spare ball will hook out of the house. One year left lane it felt like 60 ft of oil and the right no oil for the 1st 20 feet. It can be fun. Do not expect to shoot good. Then if you do  it's more fun.

Try it you will get hooked, I did

This tournament isn't for everyone.
Can be very frustrating but also very entertaining at the same time.
Everyone within a 4 hr drive should at least try it once.

So, only 2 balls allowed?
what did you see guys trying to do
play near the middle with something fairly straight?

Overall, that's probably the best thing to do if you want to score well.  But you need to throw REALLY hard to overcome some of the lanes.   Obvious reverse blocks on some lanes.  Any side turn even with plastic, and the ball goes "bye-bye!"

However, I was told that there are 2 of the 16 lanes with they place the house shot down on.  Won't help much knowing which ones they are because the racks are so bad!   

The Petersen is the TRUEST test of real bowling there is, period!  The reason is quite simple...bowling is a game where the goal is to knock down as many pins as possible.

That is the REAL goal of bowling, knocking down as many pins as possible.  It is not about what line can you play, how much you rev it, how hard you throw it, what ball you throw, or what hand you throw it with.

Also, actually COMPETING at the Petersen takes quite a bit of skill.  A plastic ball will just as easily hook off the lane as any other ball, depending on the lane condition...and throwing it hard doesn't mean it won't hook either.  To throw is straight on some of those lanes is a skill.  Trying to find a way to throw a strike on 60ft of oil with an off-set rack?  Sure anyone can get lucky once, but if you shoot over 200 there...that is skill.

In many ways the Petersen reduces bowling to its main, simple goal...knock down 10 pins.  Almost all of the other variables that most bowlers gripe about are taken away.  Those that "get it" love this tournament.  Those that don't, bitch and moan...kind of like bowling in most any other league/tournament.

This sounds like an amazing tournament. What do you need to compete? Just $90 bucks and balls?