Based on my experience and success with the original orange/purple Hook pearl, I would expect the black/silver pearl to be no different. The Hook series has a very strong core (from the AMF Code) and a great cover that is more than able to handle some oil. I found the polished solid to be clean through the heads, but very strong down lane. After getting a pearl, I went with a longer pin to pap and kept the CG in the palm. For me this allowed the ball to get further down the lane and have a smooth, predictable transition. The pin carry is second to none. The covers take very well to surface changes, so if you see you need less surface or more, don't be afraid to make the change. All in all this is a great ball for league nights and tournament shots.