Score of Demarcation

[1VegasBowler]

I currently average around 145 I consider a bad day around 120. Though unfortunately I end up having a really bad night like the other week where I ended up with a 94, was really upset at myself there since it was below 100. I hadn't did that bad in over 6 months until that night...

Then what kind of tournaments are you getting in? Unless you're bowling somewhere around 180 or so scratch, I don't see how it can be profitable for you to be in any tournaments.

[RobLV1]

Then what kind of tournaments are you getting in? Unless you're bowling somewhere around 180 or so scratch, I don't see how it can be profitable for you to be in any tournaments.

Believe it or not, some bowlers choose to bowl in tournaments for the experience in order to improve. If you are bowling in anything to make a profit, you chose the wrong field.

[1VegasBowler]

Believe it or not, some bowlers choose to bowl in tournaments for the experience in order to improve. If you are bowling in anything to make a profit, you chose the wrong field.

I don't disagree when it comes to getting experience. I hope to get into a couple of PBA/PBA50 Regionals next year for the same reason.

But I also believe one should get themselves in a position to cash more often than not.

Will I cash in any of the tournaments I get into? Probably not the first few times, but it's not going to be for a lack of trying. And while recent successes have me optimistic about my game, I also know that I'll be going up against some of the best there is. While I certainly respect all of them, I'm not afraid of them either.

[Amyers]

I don't disagree when it comes to getting experience. I hope to get into a couple of PBA/PBA50 Regionals next year for the same reason.

But I also believe one should get themselves in a position to cash more often than not.

Will I cash in any of the tournaments I get into? Probably not the first few times, but it's not going to be for a lack of trying. And while recent successes have me optimistic about my game, I also know that I'll be going up against some of the best there is. While I certainly respect all of them, I'm not afraid of them either.

I bowl small tournaments all the time I've never won one yet I think the best I've ever done is $20 over my entry fee. Now I don't enter the high end $200 plus tournaments as that's more than I'm willing to pay for the experience. I don't think you can really improve bowling against a bunch of people who are consistently below or at your talent level.

[fordman1]

I don't know of any tournaments around here that I want to donate to. The local assn. tournament is scratch and if you aren't 225 plus you might as well dig a hole and throw the money in it. Even then the you would have very little chance to win. That's why there are only about 75 people who enter every year. Senior tournaments are harder to win with all the people around who were once "CONTENDERS"

[RobLV1]

I bowl small tournaments all the time I've never won one yet I think the best I've ever done is $20 over my entry fee. Now I don't enter the high end $200 plus tournaments as that's more than I'm willing to pay for the experience. I don't think you can really improve bowling against a bunch of people who are consistently below or at your talent level.

I've bowled many tournaments over the years from NABI handicap tournaments, to local scratch tournaments, to PBA Regionals, to PBA and PBA50 National Events. I've never won one, cashed only occasionally, and was even the Red Leader at the Senior U.S. Open one year. That being said, the last time I bowled in the Senior Open, after one game I was in 10th place, one pin ahead of Walter Ray, and after four games I was in 40th place, tied with Norm Duke before I totally tanked. Regardless of the outcome, I wouldn't trade the experiences for any amount of money. How many of you can say that you've crossed with the likes of Mark Roth, Ernie Schlegel, and Mark Williams? Not many is my guess.

[Chamiso]

Then what kind of tournaments are you getting in? Unless you're bowling somewhere around 180 or so scratch, I don't see how it can be profitable for you to be in any tournaments.

Our local city tournament has both a scratch portion and a handicap portion for teams, doubles, and individual. I had a partner for the doubles portion last year we came in third 1st and 2nd tied at about 20 pins ahead of us. Both of those teams had a person with a healthy handicap as well. Also they had it at on of the less popular alley's which is probably why we are able to cash. Almost everyone struggled to get to their average. Except for me and our partner but that's because we live like 5 minutes from that alley and took advantage of practicing as much as possible so we were one of the few people to bowl at their average.

Also the pro am we have at one of the main alley's in town is handicap as well. I didn't cash the last one but still ranked fairly well.

I bowl in them for the fun of bowling though. Since they don't cost too much to get into I don't mind if I'm not able to cash and will gladly accept the experience of being able to bowl with great people.

[1VegasBowler]

Our local city tournament has both a scratch portion and a handicap portion for teams, doubles, and individual. I had a partner for the doubles portion last year we came in third 1st and 2nd tied at about 20 pins ahead of us. Both of those teams had a person with a healthy handicap as well. Also they had it at on of the less popular alley's which is probably why we are able to cash. Almost everyone struggled to get to their average. Except for me and our partner but that's because we live like 5 minutes from that alley and took advantage of practicing as much as possible so we were one of the few people to bowl at their average.

Also the pro am we have at one of the main alley's in town is handicap as well. I didn't cash the last one but still ranked fairly well.

I bowl in them for the fun of bowling though. Since they don't cost too much to get into I don't mind if I'm not able to cash and will gladly accept the experience of being able to bowl with great people.

Try to remember, that, there are plenty of tournaments that don't use a THS pattern, especially in the Pro-Am's. Their tendency is to use the pattern(s) that are going to be used for the regular tournament.

Also remember the patterns will play differently not only on different lanes, but in different houses. While you can certainly have an advantage playing a THS in the house you play most often at, that can change as well.

Here in Vegas, the toughest house to play in is at Texas Station. The THS plays so much differently from week to week with no consistency. It is said, that, if you can bowl at Texas Station you can bowl anywhere here in town.

While my average at Texas Station is only 187, it has been rising every week. At the Orleans, my average is 205 and climbing. Big different between the 2.

[1VegasBowler]

I bowl small tournaments all the time I've never won one yet I think the best I've ever done is $20 over my entry fee. Now I don't enter the high end $200 plus tournaments as that's more than I'm willing to pay for the experience. I don't think you can really improve bowling against a bunch of people who are consistently below or at your talent level.

I agree here. In order to get better, you need to go up against better bowlers.

And while I only plan on 2 or 3 PBA/PBA50 Regional events in 2017, I will certainly do my best. Will it be good enough? Only time will tell.

It's kind of like playing in a WSOP event. First is to survive the day and then survive to make the cash. After that, anything can happen.

And while it is foolish to believe that I can win any of them at this point, I'm not going to quit if I don't.

[NewToBowling]

I agree here. In order to get better, you need to go up against better bowlers.

And while I only plan on 2 or 3 PBA/PBA50 Regional events in 2017, I will certainly do my best. Will it be good enough? Only time will tell.

It's kind of like playing in a WSOP event. First is to survive the day and then survive to make the cash. After that, anything can happen.

And while it is foolish to believe that I can win any of them at this point, I'm not going to quit if I don't.

Are you in the November Nine?