Out of all the three USBC (United States Bowling Congress) colored patterns, white is the medium-scoring bowling oil pattern. Interestingly, these are not sports patterns, rather they are considered house shots patterns with various difficulty levels. While the Red pattern resembles the THS, the White oil pattern is a bit more challenging than that, and the Blue pattern is one small step down from the tournament conditions the pros face. The pattern layout of White #2 may vary from house to house. Indeed, it is paramount to have a basic idea about this. So let’s learn a bit more about the USBC White #2 oil pattern, shall we?
What is the USBC White #2 oil pattern?
As mentioned, the White #2 pattern is a bit more challenging (scoring-wise) but can be a high scoring pattern for the people that know how to play a more blended on ground condition. The oil per board in the middle part of the lane can go from 30 to 60 uL. So you will be needing a lot of your own experimentation.
The USBC White #2 pattern stretches to 41 feet with a blended cross lane ratio of oil application. The Total Volume of Oil on this pattern is 25.32 mL, where the Total Forward Oil is 15.64 ml and the Total Reverse Oil is 9.68 mL. Houses and leagues may often customize the pattern as they want and so the conditioner and its transfer type are also customizable.
The standard pattern sheet by USBC suggests that in terms of oil, The white #2 pattern is going to play very slick. The Total Boards Crossed on the USBC White oil pattern is 633 boards (usually 391 Boards- Forward and 242 Boards- Reverse).
How to attack the USBC White #2 oil pattern?
This USBC White #2 is a blended or, in other words, a crown pattern, meaning, the oil is from the foul line down the lane to where the oil stops being applied and also from the center of the lane to the edges of the lane to the cross lane ratio. That’s why it is called blended and what it requires, especially in the fresh oil, is when you start bowling, you want to get the ball from the release point of the breakpoint with a little wider angle.
Experienced bowlers are more likely to open their lines and angles from the release point to the breakpoint on the USBC White #2 pattern. The White pattern is not going to force you into a “tunneled” or “channeled” path down the lane. Your potentiality for a high score on the White #2 pattern exists because with the right piece of equipment you can figure out how to line up properly on this pattern.
Now, let’s find out where you can expect the breakpoint on the lane. As per the ‘rule of 31’, we have to subtract 31 from the Pattern Length. So that gives us 41 – 31 = 10. If you’re intending to hook your energy-retaining bowling ball, you can start anywhere between 8 and 12 boards.
When the lane condition starts to break down, you will have to opt for a more direct release angle to the breakpoint. If necessary, you might even have to change your bowling ball a couple of times. Doing these will prolong your ability to hit the pocket on the White pattern with consistency.
Up-the-boards bowlers are likely to experience more difficulties in maintaining consistency. If you’re one, you will have a hard time holding a good line to the pocket, especially if it is a freshly-applied White pattern. Your job will get easier once the pattern breaks down a little. So I would suggest you learn how you can break down the pattern at the beginning and then adjust your game accordingly.
Whether you are a pro or an advanced bowler, it is necessary to learn how to open your head-lines. If you can change it to a somewhat wider delivery angle (particularly, from the release point of your ball to its breakpoint) to make the best out of the lateral area of the crowned oil pattern, you will be able to score a higher number of on-strike deliveries.
One of my friends played in a tournament where they applied this oil pattern and he said, he didn’t have any trouble playing it like a house shot pattern. However, he did mention that he had 2 notches more surface on his bowling balls because of the volume and length of this pattern compared to your typical house pattern. The USBC White #2 pattern is surely gonna get better as you bowl on it, and of course, if you play it properly using the right bowling ball.
Which bowling ball is best for this pattern?
The USBC allows bowling centers to modify the patterns they accredit. The same goes for the White #2 oil pattern. The lane maintenance teams of different houses have different lane machines. So each maintenance person is gonna tweak or modify the lane condition slightly. That is why recommending a specific ball surface or layout pattern for this lane is not possible. Hence, I am going to mention somewhat my friends and colleagues have used and ended up with a satisfactory outcome.
The Storm IQ Tour Nano Pearl is a great option to start with as it comes in 3000 Grit Abralon finish. My friend who won a league game, says that using the Roto Grip Theory (he took the finish down to 1000 Abralon) and the MoRich RipR (to 2000 Abralon) simultaneously did him well on the White #2 pattern.
Another friend used a MoRich Craze that was drilled for a long smooth reaction and wasn’t happy with the results. She started about 13 board and had the breakpoint near the 8 board at about 43′ or so. What upset her is the ball didn’t stay in one spot for long enough for constant ball reaction. So a great alternative, in that case, will be the Storm Frantic. If possible play the ball after the lane is broken down.
Conclusion
The key to success on the USBC White #2 pattern is consistency. My only advice would be to just go up for the first few shots or you can just practice and then just roll your bowling ball normally as you do and adjust from there. You are gonna have to do a lot of homework of your own, and it will be worth it. Do not overthink and as always, good luck and have fun!
