FYI you might want to know a little bit about the person you start to talk down to them. I do get lessons from a very reputable coach. I feel my physical game is up to par was just sending out a feeler about what everyone is taking to vegas this year. So thanks for your input.
I'm heading out in late April, and haven't really figured out what I'm bringing yet, it's too early. I always take a plastic ball, a dull solid, something flippy, and a ball that "keeps me in play."
National is hit or miss for me. I've gone 15 times, and bowled really well 5 times, totally stunk about 4 times, and the other ones were just "so so" with a lousy couple games.
Knowing the shot before hand didn't really help me much, but I still wish they informed us of at least the lengths of the patterns. Ultimately, I think it's frame-of-mind that leads you to success. I read online somewhere, forgive me I don't know where, that the patterns were analyzed for the last 10 National tournaments, and they didn't really vary a whole lot as far as length and volume, just different surfaces and type of oil.
Good luck out there, you know they'll be tough.