Bowling lane oil patterns profoundly affect your gameplay, as they directly affect the trajectory and behavior of your ball. For this reason, every new bowler should become familiar with the concept of oil patterns.
Today, we’re going to spotlight the Montreal oil pattern, and we’ll explain everything you need to know about it. Let’s get right into it!
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What Is the Montreal Oil Pattern?
The Montreal oil pattern is among the collection of patterns designed by the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTB). The WTB designed a series of patterns for international bowling competitions to ensure their integrity. Each pattern in the series was named after Olympic host cities since a primary focus of the WTB was getting bowling into the Games.
The Montreal oil pattern is a medium-length pattern with a total oil volume of about 25 ml – which can be considered medium volume. Most of the oil (21 ml) is applied as forward oil, and about 4 ml is used on the reverse pass. As you may have guessed, the oil’s application direction affects how the pattern plays.
At the start of the lane, some combined oil (forward and reverse oil) is situated in the middle, but it doesn’t extend all the way to the gutter. It goes from the foul line to the 17-foot mark. The forward oil extends from the sides of the foul line and tapers in until the 36-foot mark.
Note: There are slight variations in the volume and placement of oil from one version of the Montreal pattern to another. This same phenomenon occurs with other oil patterns but is much more apparent with the Montreal pattern than some of the others.
The Main Benefits of the Montreal Oil Pattern
The Montreal oil pattern is generally considered difficult, given its technical specifications. However, bowlers reap numerous benefits by giving it a try.
For one, this pattern enables most avid and pro players to bowl as they’d play on a house shot. Though slight adjustments to targets and starting position are necessary, most bowlers won’t need to veer too far from their comfort zone.
Another benefit of the Montreal oil pattern is improving your bowling skills, though that won’t always equate to an increase in scores on this pattern.
Like most sport shots, the Montreal oil pattern will force bowlers to re-evaluate their strategy and adjust on the fly. As a result, you’ll likely find your skills improving as you gain more experience with this pattern.
The Drawbacks of Bowling on the Montreal Oil Pattern
The major drawback of the Montreal oil pattern is that it’s tough to play on. The design leaves little room for error, so even the slightest miscalculation can be costly, especially mid-lane and as you get near the pins. So, expect your scores to drop around twenty pins or more from your normal average when you play on this pattern. If you’re not totally prepared, the difficulty of this pattern can wreck your confidence in a hurry and put you into a slump.
Moreover, the forward oil to reverse oil ratio is also substantial and will result in the pattern changing quickly as the lane is played on. That’s why you’ll need a keen eye to stay on top of adjustments.
Also, competitors will need to be familiar with their equipment to know when ball changes are required and what ball to throw next. Failing to make these quick changes can spell disaster for any avid or pro bowler.
The Montreal oil pattern is also notorious for being inconsistent from lane to lane due to non-uniform pattern rules, which can be incredibly frustrating for virtually every bowler.
Is the Montreal Oil Pattern for Beginners?
Beginner bowlers could have some success with the Montreal oil pattern, but it isn’t designed with them in mind. It’s always better for beginners to start on easier patterns to build confidence and get a feel for how different patterns affect their game.
The Montreal oil pattern can be a great way to challenge yourself and test your skills. If you’re up for the challenge, roll a few on it. Just be sure to go in with your eyes wide open and be prepared for things to be difficult.
If you bowl straight, you may find scoring a little easier than bowlers who rely on hooking the ball to get into the pocket. The heavy forward oil line can guide your ball so long as you don’t get too far into the oil. If you tend to hook the ball, this pattern will certainly give you a run for your money.
Just remember that hooking the ball is generally the best way to get into the pocket consistently.
How to Score on the Montreal Oil Pattern
The Montreal oil pattern can be played close to the center of the lane, like a house shot. However, the difference is in your stance. On a house shot, right-handed bowlers can open their angles and throw the ball from standing further left on the approach.
House shots have plenty of dry boards on the outside to help the ball get back to the pocket. The Montreal oil pattern doesn’t provide the same level of hook potential as house lanes. Throwing the ball even a little too far to the right could cause righties to miss the 1-3 pocket.
Playing a more direct straight line will help reduce the chances of missing the pocket or getting a dreaded gutter ball. Stand with your feet further to the right and throw the ball more parallel to the boards on the lane.
For those who primarily hook the ball, it’s a good idea to try to get the ball to break at the ten board. This recommendation follows the rule of 31, where you’ll subtract 31 from the pattern length (41). The answer – 10 – is the board you’ll try to hit when your ball transitions to the hook phase from the skid phase.
Use the Rule of 31 as a guideline and not a steadfast rule, as there are so many factors that could affect your ball’s trajectory.
What Ball to Throw on the Montreal Oil Pattern
The ball you use on the Montreal oil pattern is so important. The forward oil line will cause your ball to skid more, so you’ll need something that can make a strong break at the back end.
A ball with a reactive coverstock – such as a pearl or solid reactive – is ideal for this pattern.
If a reactive ball gives you too much hook and misses the pocket, try using a urethane ball. These balls will skid more with a tad less hook potential, making it easier for you to get your ball where it needs to be.
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The Montreal oil pattern will put even the best bowler’s abilities to the test. So, if you’re a beginner, we recommend you pass on it until you refine your skills.
But if you’re an avid or pro bowler and want to give it a try, bring an arsenal of equipment to combat the changes as the lane conditions change, and don’t be afraid to try different tactics.
With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to find your sweet spot. It could take days to figure it out, so be prepared! We hope that you found this article helpful and that it gives you the information you need to take your game to the next level.
Kira Byrd, who holds a B.S. in Accounting and operates as an Internal Auditor during the day, has been an enthusiastic bowler since she was a small kid. She’s passionate about the sport and has been a member of several bowling clubs. Kira’s passion for helping others learn how to bowl as she realized how much her family and friends enjoyed the sport. Kira started Bowling for Beginners to teach new bowlers the game and help them improve their skills.