I assume ABT rules (at least regarding membership) are the same in all branches. If that's the case, no, you can't bowl as a guest. You must enter into a membership in order to bowl. Now, you can do that at the tournament site the day of the event as long as you can provide average verification. If you're going to do that, be sure to show up early so as to give yourself enough time to handle the paper work before heading out to the lanes to bowl.
ABT is pretty well established in the Chicagoland area; in fact, there are two branches. In some ways, ABT is very nice. They are fairly organized, so you're not having to worry about some local newbie running his or her first tournament or anything like that. Also, the prize fund is usually guaranteed, so the winner is going to take home $1000 minimum (if in the right bonus pots) no matter how many entries they get, which is nice.
On the down side, ABT is a handicap tour, so don't be surprised to see yourself going up against men and women who are getting 30-40 pins more per game than you are. This is true even in the Masters (200-225) division. What makes it frustrating is that it takes a while to establish your tournament average, so if you come in at 220, you're going to stay there for quite a few events, which means you'll be giving a lot of pins.
As far as lane conditions go, it's a mixed bag. ABT Chicagoland North has always been in the practice of trying to keep the oil pattern a secret. Now, Kegel currently has a roster of 10 different ABT patterns, so I assume the branches are supposed to be using those at this point. As such, you can look them up and try to have an idea as to what you'll face at a given event, but the patterns vary drastically. Just keep in mind that only one of them is even close to a house shot in terms of playability. The rest have oil ratios of 5:1 and under. Most of them are actually less than 2:1, so you're going to have to make shots. Again, the difficulty of these patterns helps the handicap bowlers a bit more because the pattern doesn't generally impact the guys and gals who just fire straight balls at the head pin as much as it impacts others.
I know it sounds like I'm being negative, but I'm really not. I just want you to know what to expect. I bowl 1-2 ABT tournaments a month when possible. I've had some success, but not nearly as much as I probably should have, and it does sometimes bother me to think that there are 150-average bowlers who throw straight at the head pin who have 5-6 titles, and I average 200 plus and have a better-than-average game, and I have 0. However, I have nobody to blame but myself. I know the rules and the lay of the lane before I put my money down, so I have to accept it for what it is.
In any event, if you ever have additional questions, feel free to ask. Good luck and good bowling to you!
