One of the local centers is doing a cool thing for the youth bowlers this summer.  They have a king of the hill mini-tournament on Monday nights on a different challenge/sport pattern every week.

Last week was Taj Mahal.  This week is Alcatraz.  Both 38 feet.  My son certainly had his struggles last week, but he'd admit he probably didn't bring the right equipment.  Looking ahead to tonight, Alcatraz should be even more challenging.  Any thoughts on approach for a lower rev player? They only play two games then top two play for King of the Hill.  He's about 270, but speed matched. And can sometimes be slightly rev dominant to speed.

His arsenal contains:

Raptor talon
Primal Rage
Sigma Sting
Octane
Venom Shock
Tribal

We only bring one bag to stuff like this, so what would you select (choose three)?

What did he bring last week that didn't work on 38', and why were they the wrong equipment?

He brought the Tribal and Venom Shock. Very difficult time trying to get them to read. I scuffed up his shock during warm ups when it was clear the pattern was very slick. Helped a little. But he was basically one ball and not the best matchup for a quick two game tournament.

We stayed and he bowled three more on a lane that was not used for final match. Second and third game on that set was good when the track was established.

Right now he's looking to bring his Talon and Primal Rage, with a little surface, tonight.

The patterns look pretty similar. There are some small differences but overall I would think they'd play pretty close.

3 balls is a really limited selection to take when bowling on tougher patterns. I think I'd take the Talon, Rage, and Shock.

Lane surface and topography can play a big part in how tougher patterns play. I've bowled 2 tournaments at the Orleans in Vegas, one on WTBA Athens and other on the original Chameleon. Both played very slick even though they are medium length and not huge volume. But everything plays slick there.

Bowled at the new arena at South Point and had no problem getting a ball to hook including swinging a Pitch Black on a medium length/volume pattern

Thanks SV, funny enough, those are the three balls I just finished putting in his bag for tonight.  This place also plays slick early (even house shot) but tends to break down quickly. That's not an issue for the two games tonight. Or even three games if he makes final. But in a longer tournament, by game 4 and 5 you really need to be on your toes to stay in front.