PBA Animal Patterns Playbook

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 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 (36-37 Feet): Medium pattern rewarding versatile angles and solid spare conversion.

Master Sport Pattern Lane Play

Train on sport oil patterns at Strike Force Lanes in Greenfield, IN or send video for remote tournament prep.