Expert: Chip Aki - 1/22/2009

Question
I will bowl in nationals at Vegas for the first time and have heard the frustration stories. Do you recommend getting different equipment for those conditions ?

Answer
I would not run out and get new equipment as I would start working on a different mind set.  The national pattern, at times, can be very difficult to get used to.  Usually, you will have to play further inside than at home without the extra room to the outside as well.  The condition can also change a bit faster making you pay attention to what is going on.  If you get there a day or two before you bowl, take a trip to the tournament and watch bowlers on your squad time and see what they are using and where they are playing.  That will give you and idea of where to start.  That extra time there will also help you get used to the location.  The wide open space will make things look different as well.
If you go later in the tournament, you will be able to find comments on several forums about what balls are working and what lines people are playing.  Dont take any of that as gospel and get locked in to that expectation.  
I have found that calmer balls and layouts work better than the super aggressive balls and layouts, but that is for me.

Make sure you bring your spare game as filling frames is the key to success.

Good luck,
Chip