How to Attack on Challenging Big Ben Oil Pattern

Y’all have heard about Big Bang. Now, it’s time for Big Ben! Yeah, one has nothing to do with the other, because  we will talk about the Big Ben oil pattern by Kegel, not the actual landmark in the UK. Of course, they won’t let you bowl there. But jokes aside, the Big Ben oil pattern is inspired by London’s Big Ben itself. What you would absolutely love about this Landmark series is how it lets any bowlers enjoy such a challenging yet fun bowling oil pattern. So are you interested to know the ins and outs about this oil pattern, you know the drill. Stay tuned!

Oil Pattern Specifications

How to attack the Big Ben oil pattern?

Big Ben is one of the most popular tournament patterns, and it has its fair share of difficulties. As I have just mentioned, the pattern length is 44 feet. So let’s just subtract 31 from 44 as we always do. The answer you get is 13, which means this is the number of lanes where your ball will exit the pattern. 

So how do you start on the freshly applied Big Ben oil pattern? Start with moving a little to the side— right or left as per your dominant hand. Although the ‘Rule of 31’ is saying board 1o as your exit point, it can be anywhere between 10 and 15 boards. Once your ball has picked up some of the oil from the lane and it has started to break down, Here’s what you will do. Carefully, I repeat, carefully make your adjustments. Whether it is about changing the bowling ball or the board to roll the ball. 

Honestly, I found Big Ben quite tough. I was struggling to get a decent score It took me time to understand that just a minor wrong move can jeopardize your game. Have you bowled on this pattern before and got away with some off-shots? Start bragging and consider yourself lucky. Because Big Ben doesn’t let that happen. The key to nailing this pattern is achieving accuracy in adjustment as the game goes on. 

Another thing I have to let you guys know is that  Big Ben breaks down quite fast. Some of you might not like this. Consequently, when you think you did a good job on your first game, get ready to be disappointed if you keep playing the same way without making adjustments. Wanna save yourself from embarrassment? Then make it your ultimate goal to get the hang of this oil pattern.

Despite being a pretty long pattern, you won’t be forced to play this pattern straight. You can use a pretty strong bowling ball and hook it as much as you want on this pattern. Hence, some bowlers don’t complain about playing this pattern from the corner. At the same time, others are comfortable playing towards the middle. The kind of hooking motion you will see will depend on your bowling ball type bowling style and speed. 

Whether you’re a two-handed bowler or a one-hander (either side), watch out for your ball speed. Don’t slow down your ball, as it won’t make it to the headpin with enough energy. The 44 feet distance is no joke. Speed-dominant bowlers have fun throwing the ball wide left/right. Make sure you don’t throw the ball too hard as it will end up in the gutter after hitting a few pins. Not possible to pick that many spares, is it?

What are the challenges you will face while playing on this pattern?

As this is a quite long pattern, you might attempt to throw your ball harder so that it doesn’t get burned out easily. Well, don’t worry. You don’t actually have to do that. Just throw down the ball with enough force so that it doesn’t slow down or move too much to get out of track.

I have heard a common complaint about Big Ben is that whenever the pattern is not laid with the Fire and Ice conditioner, it acts differently. However, that could be because of the environment of the location too. So before you bowl this pattern, make sure they tell you which oil they are laying for that day.

Which bowling ball is best for this pattern?

Now, I don’t wanna give you unrealistic hope, but a friend of mine scored a whooping 300 with his Storm IQ Tour on the Big Ben oil pattern. My jaw dropped and proceeded to bowl with the same ball and I scored only 138. To be mentioned his ball had a 1000 Grit finish. My point is, no bowling ball can guarantee good performance on this pattern.

So as a beginner on this pattern, use a ball that is great for a medium-heavy oil with a symmetrical weight block inside. If you love bowling a bit from the outside, make sure you use a ball that hooks with lots of backends before it enters the pocket.

A nice alternative can be the Ebonite Game Breaker 3. This bowling ball will do you good on this tough oil pattern. As I have warned you before, keep the ball speed under control. The Roto Grip Idol Helios is another great ball to play this badass pattern. This will give you a much smoother and earlier read and reaction on the lane. Last but not least, the Track Heat bowling ball is a lifesaver. But when to use it? Get it out of your arsenal just when the Big Ben pattern begins to break down.

Conclusion

Hit the bell of Big Ben every time you score strikes on this pattern. Because this recreation oil pattern is conducive to almost every bowling style, don’t worry too much about how skillful you are. First, have a little fun and then get on to practicing. Learn everything you need to learn to become unstoppable. So keep on bowling and enjoy the rewards you receive for your attributes. See you later. Good luck!

Jess Pinelli

Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast

Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.

Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.

When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.