Report back from the nationals:
The Reno experience this year was not bad. The trip was nice money wise because
I did not have to pay for a room, and my airfare was free because I was bumped last year and received a $400 voucher from that airline. My brothers play rating (from Vegas) was used, (he called the casino host at Harrahs months before) and since he is a frequent at the Flamingo Hilton in Vegas, and Harrahs in Reno is owned by the big company, the casino host arranged for the room and all meals also were comped !
My goal each year is to break 1800 for all events, and I did break it with 1813, so I will probably cash in singles, team, and all events. My brother had a bad run of it, where he struggled in the high 15's. There were three guys om my squad with 228 and 230 averages, who did not break 1800. The lanes were tight in team, but not as tight as people have been saying. I am a medium hook tweener, with 14-15 mph ball speed, and had the best look with a dull reactive, 2000 finish, and a 5 x 3 drilling. This was a Roto Grip Odyssey. I also had a Epic Battle (too much !), Mystic, which I did not use much, and a Venus, which basically was using at spares. Dont let anyone fool you, you do need a plastic for spares, especially on the right side. Go straight at
them, do not attempt to hook, they will end up in the right gutter ! The leaves I saw where guys missing headpin completely right, washouts, 2-4-7's, and many tens. Getting to the pocket was not a problem. I was standing on 30, laying down around 23-25 and projecting to between 10-12 board. Speed control is a must, if you get fast you will flag the headpin right, and might catch a wash. Get slow and might get a greek church. I saw plenty of brooklyn strikes also. I did see some guys outside of the 5 board, but they were able to string, but ended up with terrible games because the leaves outside if you missed were bad. When I did bowl second squad, after a classified team bowled before us (a joke !). The weaker equipment would get to the pcoket, but carry became an issue. The bottom line, use your best carrying ball, and make adjustments on the lane, do not dial down to weaker equipment, unless your a cranker. There were a few guys ( all over 225 averages), that had 120, 140, and 150 games ! So concentration and watching other bowlers are a must. Avoid splits is the main thing, and pick up all of your spares.
As far as the town, Reno was nice, a few shady characters, but mostly at night,
but the train noise is completely a non issue, because it goes underneath
Virginia Street now. The walk to the Sands is kind of scary at night, so walk
with a bunch of guys to get your bracket money. Gambling, plenty of 1,2,3
cents slots and video poker. Tables are mostly $5 and up, craps at the
Sands was pretty good. For you horse players, Harrahs had a nice
racing book with plenty of tracks running, some harness racing at night,
and some dog tracks going too. One tip, wait for the shuttle at the bowlers stadium to the Sands, to avoid the walk, goes every half hour. As far as the bowling vendors, the Brunswick booth had a blank drill special in the $38 dollar range, and I think add $20 for the grips and slugs. Picked up a nice pair of Linds for 89.99 at the Visionary booth. These were the blue and gold model. The Ebonite booth had some good deals on some blems. If you have any specific question, message me, I dont mind sharing the "Reno" experience !
Dan K.
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Thirtyclean (Well maybe 29, or 28, most of
the times !)
