Just got back from a PBA regional, and after another tough showing, something clicked in my head (finally).  I am aware of how important having the right equipment is, but it just made sense this time what I need to be looking for.  I have always built my arsenal, for amount of hook, from less, to most.  But it really isn't about that, not on more demanding conditions at least.  What I need to be looking for is ball reaction and hook shape, not just less or more hook.  I know, I know, this is way old news to a lot of people on here.  While I was lost in the middle of the block in the regional, I paid a lot of attention to what I needed at that point in time.  When I got home, I looked in the closet and there was a ball I hadn't thrown in a while, a Big Blue.  Decent amount of hook, but very smooth, predictable roll, that won't jump off the dry on the backend.  Another ball that did work well on the regional pattern (pattern 2) was a polished Robo Rule.  So this leads me to Nationals.  Will probably be limited to 5 balls since I'm flying, 1 spare ball, and 4 others.....Was going to just go least hook to most, but have changed my thinking and like how it sounds.  Pyro, Polished Robo Rule, Big Blue, and Paradigm Passion.  Why I like this so much, is it's two balls for less oil, and two balls for more oil, and a "flip" ball, and a smooth, roll ball in each pair of two.  I realize the Robo Rule is a very strong ball, but it tames down a lot, and gets very smooth off the breakpoint when I shine it.  I am now really looking forward to Nationals, and my next regional in July to see if this works.  Thank goodness I didn't get rid of that Big Blue like I almost did.  Thanks for reading this far of a very long post, and let me know what you think of my rambling thoughts.