Hi! I'm new to the forum. I'm from the UK. I play a 2009 cabinet but over here we dont have connected machines which aint good. Best I've bowled is a 279(this month) but guess I average about 190-200. In our local best score each month is worth 8 pints we have quite a competitive bunch playing.

That sounds like a wonderfully fun group!! If and when I make it back to the UK - I would love to come meet you all and bowl away! It's been so long I don't know what I bowl anymore! lol

As per machines, you aren't really missing much. It's nice to be online for sure, but the fun you're having wouldn't change, believe me.

How long have you all been playing? Do you make it to the US ever?

I would recommend that either all of you, or none of you, read the SSB 101 - Mastering the variables! I know it's been extreme help for several first time 300's - and at the very least, should be good for upping your average 20-40 pins. But keep it fair, and all of you take the next step together! And if you decide not to share - then enjoy the 8 pints a month - and you're buying beer if I come to visit!

Great to see you on the board! It's been mostly abandoned for a while - but you can still find out anything you would like to know!

Take care!
Telly

I've been playing for about a year. After doing a fair bit of research I got better over just a couple of months. I have a strange question, how often does the ball get cleaned or changed?

Every place is different. Normally the bars will clean the balls (and use cleaners on them that destroy the bearings) pretty much nightly. The vendor changes the balls - but will only do so if they come to collect and the ball doesn't work (IF they test it), or if they get a call from the bar telling them that the ball needs replaced. The best idea is to tell the bar NOT to clean the ball directly. If they use a damp terry cloth towel (there is a post somewhere about cleaning the ball) then they shouldn't get fluid to the bearings or ruin them. Then make sure to get the Vendor's number, start a good relationship with them. and ask them to please change the ball anytime it isn't reading correctly and cleaning doesn't help.

Happy Bowling!
Strike it Up!