You have to remember this is a non-reno year. So the lanes are brand new and (from bowling on new lanes before in this tournament) seem to play tighter and not give as much room. (The track in RENO is beat up... at least on the right side.)

Not anymore.   They are currently replacing all the panels.  They were only 6 years old last year anyway. 

I am also curious to know if they reuse the panels when they aren't in Reno?  I've heard lots of stories, but don't know for sure whether they sell them, donate them, or ship them back to headquarters.

**On Edit, they say all new panels this year.

Video posted with the patterns on bowl.com and YouTube

Team event is 38 feet, flatter, and more volume
D/S is 39, flatter, and more volume

Here is the video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_doZ001uY

there's never a single drop of oil on 1.

there's never a single drop of oil on 1.

Sorry to get off topic but is the open championship about money , fun , pride??? I never been to one and possibly in the future wen my job etc allows me to bowl it I would like to know what I'm excepting .

For me, it's about pride and fun, cashing takes care of itself if you execute.
Also, it gives you a test of where your game is- if you bowl well, all your practice has paid off. If you stink, time to re evaluate.

Just be honest with yourself no matter what. Most of us aren't used to bowling on flatter patterns, so focus on being clean on release and hitting the target. If you're not doing that, you know that's the main focus to work on in your game.

I bowl March 20-21, I'm optimistic but we'll see. I struggled in team event in Baton Rouge, this looks to be a similar lane condition.