viper the name makes me cringe because im horrible at this shot. i can never put  my finger on how to play it i kno its supposed to be out side and then work in but how side rotation, up the back ,angling it in ,or bellying it out. i just cant figure it out. i always considered myself as being versatile but this pattern is a real downer in my books by far my worst pattern if anyone can give me advise before i start this pattern this week id be greatly appreciative

I can only give you advice based on what I do on thew pattern, so I hope what I tell you can help you out.  This pattern is all about finding something that matches up surface wise to the pattern.  I like to take my Momentum drilled 4 x 3, pin under ring, surfaced at 4000 abralon with no polish.  By going with a pin under ball I get a smooth mid lane roll, and the 4000 abralon gets me a little more length so the ball basically goes longer with a hard arc.  I play around the 10-11 board, and belly out to about 5-6.  This will allow you the ability to create a little area on the pattern, and give you a chance to move in as the lanes change.  You can see my bios in my profile, but the mistake I use to make on this pattern was either going with a ball with too much surface that rolled up too quick (Fury at 1000 abralon), or trying something too polished up that would jump off the dry (Angular One 2000 abralon w/ factory finish polish).  I hope this helps, this used to be my least favorite pattern, but it is one that I bowl very well on now, good luck.
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MainePBA
"I'd rather be a conservative nut job than a liberal with no nuts and no job."

To me Viper and Chameleon are affected by the surface a lot.  They have both hooked and they have both been tight.  I also have not bowled great on Viper.  It's long enough to be tight, but short enough that you don't want a ball that jumps too much on the back end of the lane.

If you are bowling on synthetics you should be able to start around first arrow with something smooth and work in, in theory.  On wood throw that out the window.  The "big wheel" seems to work well with Viper on wood.  I don't know, different strokes for .....

Now if you are bowling regionals, up the back seems to be better on all the patterns from what I can gather, talking to friends.  Don't want the ball to go sideways at the back of the pattern.  Something about the new machines that the PBA are using put the pattern down differently.  

This probably didn't help, but I'm wired and can't go to sleep!

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