whats it take to enter an amateur tournament 4 first time how do u no which division to enter,head to head is it best 2 out of 3 just bowl certian # of strings top avg move on?whats a good avg 4 a starter like me,how many strings needed to start devolping an avg thanks

First let me give you a friendy suggestion... When you write a question for the group, try to keep in mind that this is not an IM conversation, where everybody is hip to shorthand developed for that medium. If your question can't be understood, than an answer can't be given.

As far as tournaments go. There are thousands of different tournament formats in use today. Really one for any kind of bowler can be found. Becoming a good tournament bowler requires an excellence a little above being a good league bowler. The better money is in the tougher tournaments, but so are the better bowlers.

Most tournaments are scratch pin matches. You bowl some number of sets in the different series offered, and your total pin count is included in your standings. In the end highest pincount wins.

There are handicapped tournaments available as well.

Usually you will need a standing book average with ABC/WIBC to enter with. If you don't have one then they assign you an average, usually around 200. So its best to have a realistic book average for them to go with.

Some are divided into seperate mens and womens divisions, some are mixed. There are singles, doubles and team events.

The best thing to do in my opinion is to bowl in some of the local smaller tournaments to get the idea of how it works. Don't go in expecting to win it all, that probably wont happen. But you will become educated on how things work. You will also meet other tournament bowlers, whom you can ask questions about other tournaments.

You can get the feel of the whole tournament thing, and have some fun with the competition at the same time. You may in time find some other people you enjoy bowling with, and form a tournament team.

There is so much to learn, that the smaller, more comfortable, low stress, tournaments are good for that experience. Not to mention that entry fees are generally lower, so you wont lose as much learning.

Around the Hoildays many places run 9 pin no-tap tournaments. They are a blast to bowl in and cost very little to sign up. Many are handicapped off of actual scores bowled, so you have a better chance of cashing.