PBA Animal Patterns: How to Play Scorpion, Chameleon, Cheetah and Viper
How to navigate Scorpion, Chameleon, Viper, and Cheetah sport oil patterns.
Direct Insights from a PBA Scorpion Champion
Playing sport oil patterns requires a complete shift from house shot thinking. On house shots, high oil volume in the middle and dry gutters steer mis-hit shots back toward the pocket. On PBA Animal Patterns, there is no built-in room for error.
Having won the 2009 PBA Scorpion Championship at the inaugural PBA World Series of Bowling and led qualifying at the 2016 PBA Chameleon Championship, Mike DeVaney breaks down the exact layout, surface, and angle strategies for each pattern.
1. PBA Scorpion Pattern (42 Feet)
Scorpion is a long, heavy oil pattern (42 feet) that forces bowlers inside to play deep oil. Smooth, controllable arc motion is essential.
- Formula: Rule of 31 places your breakpoint at board 11 (42 minus 31).
- Surface: Sanded solid coverstocks (1000 to 2000 Abralon) to read the long midlane. Avoid snappy polished pearl covers.
2. PBA Chameleon Pattern (39 Feet)
Chameleon features strips of oil across different boards, requiring high accuracy and surface discipline.
- Breakpoint: Board 8.
- Strategy: Match your surface to your rev rate. High rev bowlers throw dull symmetrical cores inside; lower rev bowlers play further right with smooth surface transition.
3. PBA Cheetah, Viper & Shark Patterns
- Cheetah (35 Feet): Short oil pattern requiring fast ball speed, low axis tilt, and playing outside near board 4 to avoid hooking early into the gutter.
- Viper (36 Feet): Medium pattern rewarding versatile angles and solid spare conversion.
- Shark (48 Feet): The long one. Strong low grit surfaces, slower speed and tight inside angles.
Pattern Pages
One page per pattern with length, oil volume and ratio where published, breakpoint, and ball and line advice:
- PBA Scorpion pattern
- PBA Chameleon pattern
- PBA Viper pattern
- PBA Cheetah pattern
- PBA Shark pattern
- Rule of 31 explained
Lessons: Indianapolis, Carmel and Fishers, virtual video.
Quick Reference: Length, Breakpoint, Surface
| Pattern | Length | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scorpion | 42 ft | Play deep inside, breakpoint near board 11, sanded solid cover |
| Chameleon | 39 ft | Breakpoint near board 8, match surface to rev rate |
| Cheetah | 35 ft | Outside near board 4, faster ball speed, low axis tilt |
| Viper | 36 ft | Versatile angles, do not miss spares |
| Shark | 48 ft | Tight inside angles, strong low grit surface, slower speed |
New to breakpoints? Read the Rule of 31 explained or use the calculator. Use the lane transition guide for what to do as the oil breaks down, and the ball surface guide for the Abralon numbers mentioned above.
PBA Animal Pattern FAQ
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What are the PBA animal patterns?
They are the named sport oil patterns used at the PBA World Series of Bowling: Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion, Viper and others. Each has a different length and oil layout, so each asks for a different ball, surface and line.
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Which PBA animal pattern is the longest?
Of the five covered here, Shark is the longest at 48 feet, followed by Scorpion at 42 feet, Chameleon at 39 feet, Viper at 36 feet and Cheetah at 35 feet. Longer oil means playing deeper inside with a smoother, more controllable ball reaction.
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Can I practice PBA animal patterns as a league bowler?
Yes. Ask your center if it runs sport or challenge nights, or book a session on a sport pattern. Mike coaches pattern play at Strike Force Lanes in Greenfield, IN, or by video review.
Master Sport Pattern Lane Play
Train on sport oil patterns at Strike Force Lanes in Greenfield, IN or send video for remote tournament prep.
Text Mike (702) 701-1494