MAIN EVENT THINGS TO KNOW (FAQ)

Here's some details about the Main Event that may answer some of your questions about how it all works, as well as some helpful travel information.  If you can think of anything else that might be helpful to be on this page, let us know and we'll add it on!

        What lane conditions will be used?

As in previous years, we will not pre-announce the exact lane conditions for the event.  Graphs of the patterns will be available on-site.  We will tell you, however, that the goal is to have a very challenging and fair, but not impossible, lane condition for the Open and Girls Scratch Singles events, and a typically much easier ‘house-type’ condition for the Doubles, Team, and Handicap Singles events.  Some of the side events have different conditions as well.  We were pleased with the 2010 scoring pace, and found that crankers, straighter players, lefties and righties all had a good chance, so expect something similar in 2011.  Singles will of course have fresh oil at the start of every squad.  The bottom line is that lane conditions are an inexact science, as most of you know, and we’ll strive for a fair, fun, and challenging condition for all—so bowl on what’s out there, heh heh!!!

Do I have to bowl ALL this stuff?

            No!  You can do as much or as little as you want.  You could show up as late as 2 PM on the 27th and still do the Main Event singles.  You could (not that we suggest it) skip the Main Event totally and just do a side event or two.  You could go nuts and bowl everything, including multiple doubles squads.  It's totally up to you.  We want to be the most flexible and bowler-friendly event you've ever participated in. 

What hotel rates are available?

   Texas Station is offering great lodging rates, but it's only a 200-room hotel, so we encourage you to book these rooms as soon as possible.  They are giving us a "tiered" rate, so the earlier you book, the better the rate you get.  Call Texas Station at 1-800-654-8888 to book these rooms by Dec. 10 at the latest.  They’re under the group name “Junior Bowlers Tour Southwest” or "JBT".  Last year these rooms sold out very far in advance, so if you want to stay at Texas Station, book early!  If you don't get in there or don't want to stay there, Fiesta Rancho, in walking distance on the same side of the street, usually has affordable rooms.  These are perfectly nice but by no means 'fancy' places.  Strip casinos and their amenities are 10 (north end)-20 (south end) minutes away, depending on your spot and traffic (which can be rough).   If you wanna go on a room hunt,  try websites like jbttravel.com, our in-house travel site, hotels.com, hotwire.com, or expedia.com.

Do I have to prepay to guarantee my spot?

YES.  This is for necessary logistic reasons that we hope you understand.  When you send in the form and payment for any event, you'll appear on the 'confirmed entries' chart for that event.  You can always enter the Main Event now and some side events later, or vice versa.  You can always re-enter or add events on-site as well, as space permits.  In previous years, many squads did sell out, so we do suggest sending in your entries as soon as possible. 

How do I know the 'cut' scores for the Main Event Singles?

 After the 2 PM singles squad on the 27^th, we’ll do a lot of math and double-checking and determine our complete singles semifinalist field.  It will take us a while to crunch the numbers, however.  The 2 PM squad should finish around 6 PM, which will give us final cut numbers around 9 PM.  You'll also be able to call the bowling center to get the "cut scores", and we will post these scores on the front page of the website.   Of course, instead of sitting around and getting nervous, get a team together and enter the 8 PM 4-person Team event!

Is the Prize Fund good?

    We sure think so.  The Open Scratch Singles division first place scholarship remains guaranteed at a minimum $5,000!  Not bad, huh?  $2,000 is on top for Handicap singles, and $1,500 for Girls Scratch.  Over $100,000 was awarded the last two seasons alone at the Main Event.  We believe that our entry fee to prize fund ratio is one of the very best in youth bowling.  Be sure to check through previous years to see what our winners have earned!

Are there other tournaments besides yours during the week?

    Yes.  There are side tournaments going on at Sam’s Town and The Orleans.  Between our Singles, Doubles, Team, and their events, there should be plenty of time to do everything, but it does take some coordinating.    Please allow two hours to bowl your Doubles event, and 4 hours for your Singles event.    The Orleans is about 10-15 minutes from Texas Station in good traffic, and Sam's Town is 15-20 minutes away, again in good traffic.  Stoplights can be infuriating in Vegas, so please allow enough travel time- we cannot delay squad times or entry deadlines, unfortunately. 

    Wipeout Info: Once info is released, contact Bobbi Hoven or Bobby McVey at 702-365-7400.  The Wipeout has added a finals that the past two seasons has overlapped with our 12/27 afternoon squad.   We'll be as flexible as possible if you have to rearrange your schedule because of this, and have been able to help out almost everyone, but please note this possible overlap.

    No-Tap Info: No info has been released for this event yet.

Whew!  As you can see, we’re working our butts off to make the 2011 Main Event as good as it can be and then some!  As always, please feel free to contact me any time for questions, answers, or just to shoot the bowling breeze- we want to be the most interactive tournament out there.  Most of the format comes directly from bowlers’ input, so your voice is being heard, even if we don’t make every change that every individual mentions.

For more info, feel free to write us at jbtsouthwest@aol.com.