I just got back from a 13th annual St. Patty's Day 9 pin no tap tournament. I know these are more fun then anything but I figured it would be good to try a new house. It was 4 games drop the worst, thankfully! The first game was UGLY, 5 out of the first 7 frames were splits one being a pocket 8-10. I ended up with a 181.

My normal line didn't work so I basically had to move left and play a deeper line as they were drier. The result? No tap 900 series, 933 with handicap. I got into a bonus pool for those that roll NT 300s so I should cash there too. I don't know if 933 will win it but it felt nice to throw 3 perfect games all be it with the help of NTs.

There is a scratch vs handicap head to head tournament this Sunday, I might try my hand at that but tonight was fun.

If you throw a true 300 during one of these tournaments is it sanctioned? How about regular tournaments? All these years I've bowled I never bothered to get into tournaments for what ever reason. What a mistake.

If the tournament is USBC sanctioned and you throw a "natural" 300, you will get the ring.

Nice! Good to know. On a side note even with the NT 900 I came in 3rd and picked up $50 net winnings. The handicap did me in.

Results

Two question here
1. how do you deal with someone who has a 100 pin per game handicap that bowls out of their mind. Happened to me the last 2 times I entered no taps. I rolled 800 plus (no tap) with only a 10 pin handicap and thought I was in the money. haha got beat by 20 pins a game. Just totally blind luck.

2. What is the strategy for no tap?? Just roll your game or take out the spare ball and try to hit the head pin solid every time from the 5 board??

1) Bowl your game knowing that even your best might not cut it in a handicap tournament. They should make it so 900 NT series wins and to break a tie they go to handicaps to help even the field a bit.

2) I did nothing more than find a line that works using my normal ball and repeat shots. I had all quality hits except one that bounced a 10 pin out of a possible 7-10 pocket shot with a messenger.

No Tap tournaments are not sanctionable. So even if you are in a Not Tap tournament and bowl a natural 300 (no 9 counts) it will not be sanctioned for an honor score.

Tournaments that are not No Tap, can and are often sanctioned with the USBC. It doesn't take much, basically an application and a stamp by the tournament committee, turned into USBC. But the tournament cannot be sanctioned after the fact. But USBC, nor ABC prior to USBC, recognize/d any No Tap scores.

No Taps are good for two things. Work on your strike line/altering your strike line in league play and confidence building. So use them for such.

Erin

I didn't think they would sanction a 300 during an event but I had to ask as I wasn't sure, thanks for clearing that up Erin. I went there for the experience and to try a new house. The $50 net was a bonus as was a NT900 in my first tourny, it definitely increased my confidence.

On a side note(not sure if this belongs here) the shot is much easier there. I'm a 197 average bowler at my regular house so far in 5 weeks of practice at this other place I have a high of 289 and a 225 average. Last week 5 out of 6 games were no tap 300s. I don't know if the shot is that much easier or I have a mental block on my usual lanes. I have the most 200 games in my league but I'm 3rd in average and only ONE 650+ series. I manage to shoot 2 OK 200s then get a medicore to OK sub 200 game, it's been the pattern all season. I just have to work so much harder, I hit the pocket a lot with mixed results. Go to these other lanes and my normal shot just works and works well the tournament was no fluke.

I like a challenge though, I'm ready to throw my hat in any tournaments I can find. I'll find what works eventually I want to get into some singles torunaments next. Do they run on a handicap system as well or are they usually scratch?

No tap tournaments can be sanctioned and you can receive all of the awards. There are specific conditions which apply but if they were met you are elagible for any of the high score awards including a 300 game award. Go to Bowl.com under Forms and Manuals. Then pull up the Tournament Manager Manual. In the manual look under Modified Formats. The information is there.

I approach NT tourneys/games basically the same way except for my adjustments. If I am leaving 10 pins, I don't move or change a thing like I would in league. If I am leaving 4 pins, then I will adjust so I don't start leaving 4-9s. Since 9 is good enough, I just try to get the ball into the pocket as consistenly as possible and not to mess with it too much unless I am coming in too light or too deep.