If you are on Facebook, there is a geat group run by Keith Dumphy..  2014 USBC Open Championships - Reno, NV is the group name.  Has a TON of great information at the top of the page in the FILES Section..  But here is something he posted the other day which I think covers a lot. 

My tips for 1st timers at OC:
1. Time goes by quickly. I type up main highlights of what I want to do each day before I leave as easy to get caught up in it all and forget.
2. Print out weekly casino specials (see link in Special Deals & Coupons FILE) as well as note others like in PHOTOS for Cal Neva, Sands, etc.
3. Check In when you first get there so you get your welcome packet with wristband, coupon book, etc. FYI - My team Captain actually gets in town early and drops off to each of our hotels so it's waiting when we check in.
4. Go around to all the Players Card counters in Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus to get those coupons for the wristband deal. Then stop by Harrah's to get theirs. Sands has bowler specials too and promos (see Photos and Program/Coupon Book). If you want to catch free shuttle down to Atlantis, you can get theirs too that way you have them all right away and can use right away.
5. Make sure your hotel knows you are a bowler in town for OC. Will treat you good and I'd suggest wearing a bowling logo shirt when you arrive and wristband rest of the time there. May help you get better room placement and/or upgrade even if you didn't book thru USBC's site.
6. Cheap breakfast options are Eldorado buffet if coupon in their wristband deal like last year, Cal Neva breakfast deals, Express Cafe across from Silver Legacy Rewards counter on 1st floor of Casino, Mel's Diner at Sands, 2-4-1 coupons in USBC booklet for Harrah's, 55+ specials at Grand Sierra, Americana Cafe in CC has a buffet table in back that is better deal than ordering individual platter, and always McD's across from CC as a last resort.
7. Cheaper sodas and snacks can be purchased at Friendly Convenience Store (red awning) across from Eldorado entrance instead of in Hotel gift shops.
8. Check shuttle schedule (see PHOTOS) as shuttles pickup at various times but not real late or real early flights.
9. Call or in person reserve your time for side events so as to not take equipment over their needlessly if squad is full at that time. Same with practice on Showcase Lanes.
10. I like to take my equipment over evening before Team and put in locker so I can go to lunch and browse around that Team day and not be lugging equipment all around with me.
11. Silver Legacy had quickest comps out of the 3 Tri-Properties, so I got enough for free dinner and still some left over going back this year for a lunch and I only played cheap slots for awhile.
12. No need to walk to Sands to pick up bracket money or go gamble awhile or eat at Mel's Diner or rest of their promo deals as they have a shuttle that runs pretty frequently and check at their bell desk for return trip.
13. Carry your USBC card on your at all times as may need to show it to get some coupon deals, even if you have the wristband.
14. Brackets doesn't accept credit cards, cash only, so make sure you take enough with you depending on how much you plan on entering including side pools. There is an ATM machine in Stadium but you may get charged fee on both ends.
15. You may need to call your credit card company and let them know your travel plans as I had charges denied one year due to quick transactions in Pro Shops and USBC Store but their store showed up Texas address.
16. Share a cab if noone has a car if you want to go bowl side events at Grand Sierra a less than 2 miles and split a few ways it's pretty cheap each, even with a small tip.

Probably left out some stuff but this is most important. If have any questions, feel free to PM me. Enjoy the Kick-off show this Thurs Feb 27 at 4pm EST and have a safe, fun trip and bowl well!

 Lockers are $3 for small, $5 for large (can share large as pretty big) and takes tokens from machine next to lockers. Number on locker key and only good for one use, so manage accordingly. Make sure you have some small bills for token machine.

Go the day before or earlier in the day that you bowl to get the "awe" of the stadium out of the way.  Other than the high ceilings and different lighting because of that, it's just bowling.  There won't be a lot of people watching and nobody will even pay attention to you unless your bowling with the best team on the squad or you start stinging some strikes.

For me, I had to be careful of trying to do too much in a short timeframe and ultimately tiring out.  If your intent is to go for the experience, then do whatever.  But if you want to really bowl your best in the OC, then perhaps save the satellite tournaments for when you are done with the OC.  I got tired because I wasn't used to bowling at the times our squads actually started.  They never started on time for me.

As said above, go to the stadium early and get all the vendor/booth stuff out of the way before your squad check in time.  Also, make sure you and your team understand the procedures for things that may arise like score corrections and the such.  Refresh yourself on the rules of play which are different than most events (rosin, drinks and the such).

And if you have as good a game as you say, GET IN EVERYTHING YOU CAN!!  Brackets are where it is at.  Only place where you can shoot 600 and get a lot of money back.  Not saying it is a given, but if you can make the adjustments and stay plus, you should at worse get your money back. 

edit:  As itsallaboutme said, you may want to make sure you aren't bowling against the likes of riggs before putting rent money up on brackets.

Go the day before or earlier in the day that you bowl to get the "awe" of the stadium out of the way.  Other than the high ceilings and different lighting because of that, it's just bowling.  There won't be a lot of people watching and nobody will even pay attention to you unless your bowling with the best team on the squad or you start stinging some strikes.

I can not agree with this more. It's one thing to look back at when the ABC/USBC Masters was televised from there and seeing the place on TV; it's a completely different thing to be IN that venue, even as a spectator, it is awe inspiring. I don't kid people when I tell them to picture an IMAX theater with the box seating there, and then imagine 80 lanes underneath that. It literally is that way (though the seats don't extend all the way down the 80 lanes).

Also, I don't know of a single person who didn't participate in a learn-to-bowl league sometime in their youth that did not get a tour of the back of the alley. If you have seen that, also imagine that, as when you walk out for teams, you'll be walking out from the back of the alley. That whole back area is a bit intimidating, but not as much as being on the alley floor, especially with the panels up for your scores.

jhutch769 nailed it when it came to the experience outside of the lanes.. But tend to think of it like the Olympics; you are there for competition, but you are also there to meet other people and enjoy the time outside of the competition as much as during it. Personally, I'm a bit spoiled, as not only do I live 90 minutes drive from the NBS, but I'm in business with the sister of the general manager of the NBS, so I've seen nearly everything to be seen there. So it really doesn't intimidate me. Quite the opposite, actually; it hypes me up because it's showtime, and what better place is there to bowl your best than there?

So once you get on the lanes, I guess what I am saying is to think of it as just another bowling alley, because that is what it is. Do your best there, bowl the satellite tournaments if you are up for it, and have a good time. You have the experience and talent; just get in your zone, and go for it from the word go. You'll do great.

BL.

Based on your profile, I would say you are more prepared now, than 95% of the people who bowl the tournament.

Enjoy the experience would be the best advice I could give.

Agreed as well.

Only couple of other things I can say is when the pattern gets released, practice on it. You'll know how your gear is going to react on it, what adjustments need to be made to it, and what you'll need to do mentally to get used to it. If you have an alley that will lay down that pattern, ask them to do it. Forewarned = fore-armed. Again, as far as mental prep goes. I would think about it as what you would do in the PBAX league, but apply the Nats patterns to it, and you'll be good there.

As far as the march out goes, just soak it in. Enjoy it. For some people in this sport, this is probably the biggest recognition they get. For others, it may just seem like its a walk in the park because they do this so often, or have their name or team on a banner there. I would say for you to treat it like it truly is your first (because it really is), but also treat it like it's your last. That way, you will never take it for granted.

As far as atmosphere goes. It isn't as rowdy as a collegiate tournament (and those get rowdy), but it is a fun and challenging atmosphere. Add in the fact that it is that venue and the acoustics of that venue make it sound fuller than it appears, and you get a place that is a bit intimidating. As I said before, when you think of it as just another bowling alley, you'll be fine.

Oh. And if there is anything you think needs to be changed with your gear, nearly every vendor (not sure if those like Visionary, Seismic, Lord Field, Lane Masters, or Elite are there) has their own booth in the pro shop area, with most having their staffers there. K&K was running the Ebonite booth up until this year, but starting with this one, Ebonite will staff its own booth. Everyone else has their own major staffers there. None of them there have let me down.

BL.

On a non bowling note I will give some advise.  I didn't practice what I am preaching when I was young and foolish but now I am older and not as foolish. 

If you're traveling with a bunch of guys that like the cocktails and dice and/or other extra curricular activities instead of going early and partaking, stay a few days after you bowl.  I bowled for 18 years and while my lifetime average is above the Mendoza line, I would be 8 pins higher if I took out 5 trips to Reno.

You're mix'n baseball with bowling? I guess spring is near...

I don't see it mentioned anywhere else here, so I will add this; have your local proshop check every ball to make sure it's legal. They will all be weighed before you bowl the team event. Even your spare ball.

You can have it corrected at the stadium of course, but I for one would rather have that kind of thing done by someone I know and trust locally.

My team is essentially my pro shop with my doubles partner as my driller.  If I'm not legal.....I'll have questions for him right there lol