Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Aslan]

Saturday Weekly Color-Pin Tournament: Older Brunswick Synthetics/dry

589 Series: 200-167-222

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 45% (2 4-baggers, 1 turkey, 1 double, and 1 single)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 87% (7/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin and 9-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (3/9)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-6-10 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/4).

Average over 3 games: 196.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 200.00.

Didn't get much bowling in this week...so I decided to do the weekly color-pin tournament.

The lanes were REDICULOUSLY dry...probably because of the crazy hot weather we've had out here (78-82 degrees). They were really dry Friday...and just excessively dry on Saturday. I ended up standing left foot on 36-37 targeting 23. That's not even my "C-Game"...it's like a "D-Game". But, as RobM has preached...you have to play the way the lanes dictate. If I had a weaker ball with me...maybe I could have moved back out to the track with the 300A or urethane Big Blue Spare...but even if that found the pocket...carry would be a challenge.

In the end, I paid about $31...won about $39...including the 3rd game sidepot....which is saying alot since there were more than a few former PBA Regional guys there...but the big guns were having an even harder time on the dry lanes than I was.

[Aslan]

Open Bowling/Practice: Fairly new synthetics, dry, narrow, short, THS

Thought I'd try out a few balls that I messed with the surface...but even the solid Rhythm surfaced to 3000/polished and the pearl Encounter with a polished 500...were both rolling out at about 30-40ft. I ended up just switching to the Track 300A for Game 3...there's really no point to playing these lanes without drastically changing my speed or adding a ton of loft. Just nuts.

512 Series: 143-180-189

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 38% (3 doubles and 7 singles)
Spares: 52% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (2x).
Also left a single 2-pin and 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (5/13)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5-8 and 6-7-10 split (2x each)

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 3 games: 170.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.00.

Ughhhh....
This center is rediculous. I'm not a big "conspiracy guy" (other than regarding Motiv and the PBA)...but wow! I gotta think this pattern is either a greedy owner trying to save some pennies on oil...OR...they are trying to "help" their high-average wood lane bowlers who tended to be less hand/more speed...and would struggle on standard lane conditions.

The good news? I'll be sweeping against these guys this weekend in my last (at least for awhile) trip to Vegas. And, if they think they are AWESOME on whatever mess these lane conditions are...they are gonna have to get some practice in before sweeps Saturday or they're gonna have a rude awakening.

[Aslan]

Wednesday League Night: low-medium oil synthetics, older brunswick lanes

582 Series: 216 - 199 (clean) - 167

A missed 10-pin in the second frame away from a clean game.

Game 2 I switched to the Innovate; but couldn't seem to carry. Kept things clean...but a rather hollow victory given I was sub-200.

Game 3 the tequilla kinda caught up with me...4-5 shots is apparently past my competitive limit. Good to know.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 42% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 1 double, and 5 singles)
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 72% (8/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (6x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 194.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 204.33.

Turns out drinking tends to hinder bowling performance...at some point....and that point is between 1 and 5 shots of tequilla...

[Aslan]

Pre-Sweeps Practice: The Orleans (Las Vegas)

Day 1 (Thursday) Practice.

Warm-Up: 224

529 Series: 146-182-201

Game 1 sucked. Game 2 shoulda been a higher score...but I wasn't getting any breaks. Lots of pocket hits...with ringing 10s and 7s...pins didn't seem as "light" as Sam's Town...but they seemed to bounce around more. Game 3 I chopped the 6 off a 6-10...which is really friggin annoying.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.72 pins
Strikes: 44% (1 6-bagger, 1 5-bagger, 1 double, and 6 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single pin leave: 7-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (5/13)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10, 3-10 baby split, and 1-2-4 (2x each).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 4 games: 188.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 190.50.

I think carrydown was definitely a factor on these lanes. They hadn't been oiled in awhile and mostly just casual bowlers throwing plastic balls all day...because any miss more than 2 boards to the right wasn't coming back to hit the headpin. Gonna try to practice in the AM tomorrow on what should be more freshly oiled conditions.

A lady was watching me bowl and made a point to tell me I was a "really good bowler". Now, I love all compliments and thanked her...but it's really irritating that every time I practice...I either draw a crowd or get compliments like these...and the obvious response is, "well, you're apparently EASLY IMPRESSED." BUT, that would be rude....so I just usually thank the person and nod and try to smile.

[Aslan]

Friday AM Pre-Sweeps Practice, The Orleans, LV

Warm-Up Game: 152
Decided not to use the Bullet Train. It's behaving weird and making a 'noise' as it rolls down the lane. I think it's "past it's retirement age".

519 Series: 182-166-171

Game 1 was a missed single-pin and a couple splits...including a 6-7 in the 9th.

Game 2 I only opened twice...but one was a chopped 1-3-6-9 in the 10th...so there goes that game.

Game 3...two more opens...in the 8th and 9th...so there goes that game...

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.48 pins
Strikes: 43% (1 turkey, 3 doubles, and 10 singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Most common single pin leave: 7-pin (2x)
Also left a single 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (11/21)
Multi-pin leave: 1-2 (4x)

Splits: 33% (2/6)

Average over 4 games: 167.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.00.

The Orleans lanes seem harder than Sam's Town. At Sam's Town...I could play the Bullet Train or Reax Pearl up the track...no problems. But The Orleans seems to be a tighter shot. A 2-board miss right....you don't make it back to the pocket. If you pull the shot at all...you're gonna have split difficulties. And for some stupid reason...the 7-pin is annoying at this house!! I've never left so many 7-pins.

I should have just stayed in California....could have bought some strike ball tickets during the Saturday night color-pin tournament...make $150-200...save all this money. I haven't bowled worth a "POO" since I've got here.

I'm gonna try to move inside a little...maybe I can play the 11-14 area. Outside seems to burn out the ball....inside there's a "poo-ton" of oil and then the Reax (or Scandal Pearl...if I get around to trying it) reacts too abrubtly at the end and dives through the nose leaving me "split-issues".

[RobLV1]

This is a great lesson to help you understand ball reaction! The Orleans uses a 37' pattern. When the ball encounters too much friction too soon, the core stands up early and the ball can't make it back to the pocket. The overall effect looks like there's a lot of oil that's keeping the ball from hooking, while the fact of the matter is that there is too much friction that is straightening it out. When you change to a very aggressive bowling ball and move in slightly, your ball retains the energy, but hooks early and dives through the nose. To overcome this on a shorter pattern, use the less aggressive ball and move into the oil with it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

[Aslan]

To overcome this on a shorter pattern, use the less aggressive ball and move into the oil with it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Unfortunately, I didn't really bring a weaker ball.

Pre-Sweeps PM Practice: The Orleans (Las Vegas)

Warm-Up Game: 167

511 Series: 155-188-168

Bad spare shooting in Game 1. Only one open frame in Game 2; but I couldn't carry. Same thing in Game 3...a couple opens, no carry.

657 Series: 214-223-220 (clean)

Finally found my line...realized I was struggling with some release issues. Smooth sailing from then on...a couple spare issues in Games 1 and 2...but fixed them by Game 3.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.87 pins
Strikes: 42% (2 4-baggers, 2 turkeys, 3 doubles, and 12 singles)
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 72% (16/22)
Most common single pin leave: 7-pin (6x)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 3-6-10 (3x)

Splits: 33% (2/6)

Average over 7 games: 190.71.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 200.71.

I guess we'll see tomorrow whether Jeckyl or Hyde will show up when it matters??

[RobLV1]

Why would you possibly go to another state to bowl in a money event without taking a full range of bowling balls?

[Aslan]

Why would you possibly go to another state to bowl in a money event without taking a full range of bowling balls?

Well, I "did" bring FOUR. Granted, 3 have similar specs...but that's a whole other story...

Sweeps: The Orleans (Las Vegas)

610 Series: 181-203-226
Game 1 I was doing well...then missed a 4-pin in the 7th frame...and then mentally collapsed and missed a 6-10 in the 8th. I managed to strike in the 9th, but then opened on a 1-2-8-10 washout in the 10th.

Game 2 my only open was on a 2-10 split in the 5th...but couldn't run a ton of strikes together.

Game 3 I started with ANOTHER 1-2-8-10 washout (despite sending the 1-pin and 2-pin almost directly at the 10-pin)...but then I ran 5 strikes together and stayed clean to salvage a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.97 pins
Strikes: 50% (1 5-bagger, 2 turkeys, and 5 singles)
Spares: 62% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single pin leaves: 10-pin (2x)
Also left a single 2-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (5/10)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (4x)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 203.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 206.67.

What's interesting here, besides my big payday (read below), is that I really didn't bowl that much better than I did two weeks ago at Sam's Town. I think 2 weeks ago I averaged about 193...could have averaged 204 had I picked up more spares. This time, similar stats (first ball average and strike rate) but with much better spare stats. The scores in Games 2 and 3...were actually very similar this time versus 2 weeks ago...the main difference is the 181 this time versus the 150 first game from two weeks ago.

So, what is the difference in $$$$ ???

HUGE!

Two weeks ago, I went into sweeps with a 182 average and rolled a 582 (about a 193 average).
I won $60 in brackets and $10 in a side bet = $70.

This time around, I entered sweeps with a 180 average and shot a 610 (203 average). I won:
$865 (brackets) + $455 (sweeps prize money) + $31 (tie for first place men's singles) + $200 (2nd place in Game 3 sidepot) + $10 (team event)
= $1561

So...WHAT THE HELLO HAPPENED!!??
(see follow-up post)

[Aslan]

Well, MANY things happened.

1) I made my spares and at least shot a pin over my average in Game 1...which kept me alive in most brackets.
2) Our team was down one bowler and the team we were supposed to bowl against was a no-show...so we bowled unopposed. One bowler on the team bowls back-up up the middle. One bowler is a lefty. One bowler bowls thumbless and thus is nowhere near my line. So...I kinda had the line to myself.
3) This league bowls in a house with a rediculously stupid oil pattern. I can only describe it as a 32ft pattern between 14-36.
4) This league has some good, experienced bowlers...but not a ton of bowlers that bowl at multiple houses...on patterns that are more likely to mimic Vegas patterns.
5) Not very many bowlers had a "good day" on the lanes. When I bowled two weeks ago, the top bowler bowled a 695 scratch. There were a handful of bowlers with 650+ series. This time, my 610 was 5th highest (scratch).

Here are the final standings for the top 15 male bowlers that won money:
1) KC 658 + 33 = 691
tie
1) Aslan 610 + 81 = 691
3) RH 596 + 87 = 683
4) LH 631 + 39 = 670
5) JG 578 + 75 = 653
6) DM 554 + 96 = 650
7) MS 530 + 117 = 647
8) TH 582 + 63 = 645
9) JG 527 + 117 = 644
tie
9) BA 590 + 54 = 644
11) GP 507 + 135 = 642
12) PC 616 + 18 = 634
13) EM 552 + 81 = 633
14) TK 613 + 18 = 631
15) BS 564 + 66 = 630

So, lots of reasons that "helped" me win. As to what I did differently MYSELF:

1) I made my spares (for the most part).
2) I fixed my release issues when I practiced the night before. I tried to have a "free swing"...but with my hand more under the ball...tried to do it consistently.
3) I switched balls when it made sense. I actually spent much of the afternoon using a different ball on each lane. Normally I try not to do that...just because it annoys me to have to switch inserts each time...and have a slightly different feel each time...but in this case, with $$$$ on the line...I stepped outside my comfort zone and used the ball I really felt was the best ball for that lane at that time.

Was I POPULAR in the room following the sweeps event? Probably not. I was the only "sub" that was in the Top 15 and the only bowler that bowled above their season high scratch series (610 vs. 605). I had only 30 games in the league (as a sub)...one guy had the minimum 21...but everyone else was a regular with 57-75 games. In this league, a sub CAN bowl at sweeps IF:
1) They have at LEAST 21 games bowled.
2) They are a "6th man sub"...which means in this league I can only sub for the team that has me listed as their 6th bowler. Roaming subs cannot bowl at sweeps.

BUT...Devil's Advocate...
1) I also put more money and effort into bowling than any of those other bowlers do.
2) I show up on Thursday and practice, practice, practice...
3) I don't get wasted the Friday before sweeps.

If people are going to beeotch...maybe they should take my lead and treat sweeps seriously rather than treat it as an excuse to get drunk and lose money gambling. I lost $160 at the poker table...won $18 in a slot machine...but didn't have any alcohol the whole weekend and got in 15 games of practice.