Are they going to be on the schedule this year? Or are they only going to have the Summer Series, and that's it? From last year's Roll's prize going down to $150000 from $200k, I thought it might be signaling an end. Can anyone confirm that, and the Skills Challenge too? Thanks.

Usually those two are right after the season ends. This year they didnt do it so im guessing the king of bowling series replaced roll to riches.

I'm happy it did, I never cared for the (Roll to Riches)all that much! I think the prize fund for the (King of the Hill) should either be bumped up a tad, or extend the event a little longer.

I think those side events were good for the PBA in attracting fans. But I didn't like special formats, ie. all the "Extreme-Swing" events, and the dual-pattern tournaments. At least, if they hold these events, they shouldn't count towards titles and earnings. But if they make then non-title fun events, then I think that's good.

I didn't mind either the Roll to Riches and the Skills Challenge. Something tells me that the Skills Challenge was partially rigged, but it was still fun.

I didn't care to much for the dual patterns either.

I enjoyed the dual patterns. The rest of the world, including international competition, tends to use a different pattern on each lane, so this is actually an area where the PBA has been behind the times.

I also like the dual pattern idea. I think it brings out the most versitile bowlers in the world come sunday.

I liked the dual patterns as well as some of the newer formats brought out this past season. It makes the bowlers think more. Usually each lane on a pair can play differently to begin with using the same pattern, now they have to even think about a different pattern to play the lanes. I don't want to see just big scores but good matches.

Of course I don't know how we got into this conversation since the original post was about the Skills Challenge and the Roll to Riches both gimmick type events like the King of the Hill. I think they just wanted to try something different this year and some didn't really like the Skills/Trick shot challenge.

I understand that trick shots may have been unpopular. But I noticed that the King of Bowling event's prize fund is down to $100k. Either the economic situation is hitting the PBA badly, or they're diverting prize money elsewhere. In that case, I think they should decrease the prize fund of the "Extreme" events and use it towards "real" events.

Anyway, I enjoyed watching the Roll to Riches and Skills Challenge last year. I think it's a good way of maximizing the bowlers' exposure on TV, including those that don't make TV often (or ever) in regular events. Whereas the King of Bowling only shows the top of the POY list.

The only thing different with the Extreme events and the other events is the name and the patterns. These are tournaments that have been going on for years. They just change the name a little to add something. The PBA is trying to draw interest in any way they can right now. The Roll to Riches was replaced by the King of Bowling. The Skills Challenge was a good concept until they started throwing the ball over/under chairs. Hey look guys, I can heave a ball over that chair and still knock down pins. I know houses in my area were not thrilled with it when open bowlers tried it.

The economy sucks. It is being felt all around. The PBA is getting more sponsors but everyone is giving less. The fact that the King of Bowling was sponsored by Amp and not Lumber Liquidators, Dennys, or a ball company is a good sign. From what I have been told, sponsors that normally put their money into bigger sports are throwing some to bowling cause it is cheaper and they still get exposure.