When shooting spares with a plastic ball, do you still use your hook release, or do you try to roll the ball straight off the hand?

I was curious because it seems that if the ball won't hook at all, then it may be better to just maintain a consistent release.

Its a misconception that a plastic won't hook at all. It will hook if it encounters enough dry boards. Some people use the same release, some roll the ball straight off the hand with a different hand position. Changing the hand position can cause issues with your game though if you aren't too experienced. I do change the hand position to have the ball come straight off my hand to help minimize errors, other than huge ones.

It depends on the situation for me... If it's a ten pin with a dry backend it helps me to use my hook release. I can aim right in front of the ten pin and have it straighten out right before the gutter and knock it out.

If it's a seven pen or anything in the center I'll just use a straight release.

Hmm..I may try to experiment a little with positioning of the index finger and pinkie finger and see if that alone will take enough hook off of my normal release.

As long as you have a clean release where you don't hit up on it, and keep your wrist relatively flat, you can get away with having a bit of side rotation on the ball. Just don't give it your full release - get to the bottom of the swing and let it come off.