Yesterday I left the 8 pin three times. If it's a 7 or 10 I understand, it feels bad but I understand that I will leave those pins and why. But the 8 and 3 times? Second game I left it after a double and then I proceeded to miss it = 191. Then for the 3rd game I go strike - 8 pin - double - 8 pin. An easy 230 game was 185 instead. The lanes were drier than usual but I felt I made a good adjustment, the 3rd game I think I missed the pocket only once. Well, 8 pin happens. This on the same pair I have my best series (720) and with the same ball I put that number (RedZone - pin just above and to the right of ring finger, CG stacked, PSA at the edge of thumb hole, flare increasing X-hole).

I think it has something to do with the way the 5 pin travels.  I once heard that the 5 5 goes straight back and misses the 8.  I could be wrong though.

One once in a great while is pretty much bad luck as described above.

When I leave 3 or more on a lane I generally feel there is something wrong with the rack. The 8 is slightly left or the 5 is slightly right giving a little more room for the ball to chop the 5 off the 8.

The bigger cardinal sin is missing an 8. One of the easiest spares on the lane.

Edited on 6/26/2008 8:36 AM

you are not alone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EnZjv0tq48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9TTU6w5580

and here is a nice slomo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APaxT5KMwhc

the 5 pin simply is missing before the ball gets there so you get no deflection towards the 8 pin (of the 5pin) and the 8 pin stands there laughing at your face.
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Sebastian Koch
"Have fun and bowl well!" - Grayson
"Some things are made so even idiots won't fail using them.... But I ask what about the genius?" - Grayson

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The ball generally doesn't hit the 8 pin unless it is a very high shot.  THe ball contacts on 4 pins in the rack.  For a right hander it is the 1-3-5-9. Lefties 1-2-5-8

Just a  bad luck leave, like others have said, the 5 pin gets kicked straight back (ball is driving hard through the deck) or towards the 7 pin (ball that has rolled out and is deflecting through the pocket)  Either one could/should fall, just some bad luck.
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Speed Kills
When in doubt, move out

Some of the ole timers would say...if you leave the 8 pin, it was too perfect of a shot.(if there is such a thing). I guess meaning for a right-hander, entering the 1-3 pocket...either it drives in front or behind the 8 pin.

As one person said previously..."just bad luck"

Earl