wabullets, you're correct, they might just turn out to play the same. If it was advertised as a 36' and 40' pattern, would that make it a better choice in your mind? At Opposites Attract last year, the scores weren't to high or to low but some still aren't satisfied. Folks are already trying to interject their 2¢ in on what should be on the lanes in a month. Have we forgot how to show up and compete?

Can anyone remember how we survived without knowing the pattern and having directions telling us the kind of ball, layout and target to use? What if I hadn't announced the patterns, would we have thought to have this conversation? Probably not but we would have an inbox stuffed with emails reading, "what's the shot?"
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I think you should have went with out posting the patterns. After all, that was you new thing for this year......not telling the patterns. Though you are right, you would probably get quizzed to no end about what the pattern would be.....just seems odd to have a 2 pattern tournament with 2 patterns that are not all that much different..........especially on the left at Ft. Meade. Not that I am going to complain about that (though others may).  

Personally I think people telling the patterns have hurt the local tournaments.  You tell your house guys its a tough pattern they don't bowl.  Tell your "tournament" bowlers its a house shot and they don't bowl.  There are very few guys like myself that really don't care what you put down, you get 15 mins to find a look, simple as that.  Show up and Shoe up!
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"Typical House Bowler"