Arsenic is best known for its poisonous characteristics. So what about the Arsenic oil pattern? Well, the Kegel Arsenic oil pattern may not have poison but it sure is terrifying. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Arsenic oil pattern is an arch-enemy to many bowlers. While a big number of bowlers are scared of the Arsenic oil pattern, others have found ways to tame this bad boy. If you’re still looking for ways to bowl on this pattern properly, now is your time to stand out because I have come up with a basic guideline that can benefit you greatly when you play this pattern next time. So hang in there, folks. We’ve got a lot to learn.
Oil Pattern Specifications
| Title | Kegel Element Series— Arsenic (1341) |
| Distance | 41 feet |
| Total Oil Volume | 25.79 mL |
| Forward Oil | 16.55 mL |
| Reverse Oil | 9.24 mL |
| Oil Ratio | 1.36:1 |
How to bowl on the Abbey Road oil pattern?
Yes, I’m not kidding with that oil ratio. That’s what the Arsenic oil pattern looks like. Extremely slick with heavy oil throughout the lane. You’ll be able to visualize better once you look at the pattern sheet. Your first impression will probably be that it plays a lot similar to Kegel Red Square pattern.
So what to fear about the Arsenic oil pattern? The oil ratio of Arsenic indicates that the amount oil on the outside is quite as same as it is on the inside. On the front lane, you will notice a little bit of difference close to the first arrow. To show your true strength on this pattern, you should know your weaknesses that might stop you from scoring on a tough pattern like Arsenic. This will also enable to implement your strengths better.
Besides all the difficulty, Arsenic is actually pretty interesting in a sense because a bowler can play this pattern in many ways. Feeling comfortable bowling straight? Go ahead, do it. Want to make some powerful curved ball motion? Feel free to do that as well. So clearly there’s no right or wrong way of playing Arsenic pattern. Just remember to repeat shots with consistency.
Now, where should you start on the lane? Pretty simple. The “Rule of 31” indicates, 41-31 =10, so somewhere around the second arrow would be a great opening move. Since the pattern is less flat around the first arrow, you must be careful. Your ball reaction on the first arrow will be slightly different than the second arrow of the lane. So try not to move too outside when consistency is what you’re aiming for. Make your ball roll on the 7 or 8 board when it is on the first lane. As the game progresses, keep moving inside and enjoy hooking your bowling ball while you’re at it.
To survive the fierce Arsenic pattern, you have to break it down. But friends, you have to have patience for that. Once that is done you will see that a ‘sort of’ bump has been created and utilize it to get the scores flowing. Once you’re nice ad comfy with your position, ball motion, and the way your ball hits the pins, keep on going. There’s no stopping you now! Remember accuracy is your key to dominate.
What are the challenges you will face while playing on this pattern?
Hold your horses, my friends. Arsenic comes with tons of challenges. Since the pattern is extremely flat if your shot is off the target by a single board, Doomsday! Allow me to articulate.
Let’s say, you want your ball to exit the oil on the 10 board. So you rolled your ball over the 8 board to play things straight. Now, what if your calculation were off and your ball rolled over the 11 board instead? What will happen? Yeah, the reaction was fine, and so was the ball speed, but your ball will miss hitting the pocket between the 1 and 3 pins. As a result, the ball will hit the headpin on the side instead of hitting 1 and 3 pins simultaneously. Contrarily, if you miss a board to your right and roll the ball over the 9 board, your ball will hit the pins lightly and the 3 pin will encounter more force than the headpin.
Do you understand what would happen if you miss marginally? Your worth nightmare will come true and you will end up with a lot of pins that you can’t pick with a spare shot. Another challenging fact that I want to warn you about is that, when the lane is fresh, you are likely to struggle more. Hang in there if the first few shots are not up to your expectations. You will get it right in no time!
Which bowling ball is best for this pattern?
Oof! Now comes the most important lesson of the day. So what kind of bowling ball you should use to play this giant puddle of oil? Well, a pin-down aggressive benchmark bowling ball will do the charm. Trust me, you don’t wanna go for sanded weaker balls. Your biggest enemy for Arsenic would be a pearl coverstock asymmetrical bowling ball. What you need is aggression, not hell-breaking violence.
If you can access asymmetrical-cored solids with medium-high strength, you are in safe hands. Another small trick I see bowlers pull is breaking the pattern with a matte urethane and then they switch to the main they intended to play with.
The good-old Hammer Purple Pearl, Roto Grip Idol, Storm Phaze II, etc are good urethanes to begin with. After the lane breakdown is done, use something like Roto Grip Hyper Cell Fused. Let me give you some more options. 900 Global Zen Master, Roto Grip Hustle Ink Solid, and Track Heat Lava are highly recommended on Arsenic. You will also love the great performance of DV8 Activ8, Track Kinetic Black Ice, Storm Electrify Pearl, and Storm Soniq.
Conclusion
So, that’s what Arsenic is! An absolute beast! You need to be sure and very precise with your shots. With every shot try to achieve perfection. Precision in ball control won’t make it too hard to score strikes. You will get there. With that being said, the Arsenic oil pattern is an amazing creation by Kegel. Don’t let others’ bad experiences make you hesitant to play this pattern. Your genuine attributes will be rewarded if you play it right. Of course, you will need adequate practice. Consider my words as a basic guideline and the rest is up to you. Good luck and toodles!
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.
