2024 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.  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!         

        Do I need to buy a 'spectator pass' to watch my own kids bowl?

Heck no.

 Can I take small 'facebook videos' or livestream?

Heck yes.

        I'm 20, and no longer USBC Youth Eligible.  Can I still bowl?

YES!   Anyone* age 21 or under as of 8/1/24, regardless of 'adult' or 'youth' status, may bowl the Main Event.   *Past or present PBA or PWBA members, though, are excluded.   

         I'm 16 years old, but I already 'went adult'.  Can I still bowl?

YES!   Anyone* age 21 or under as of 8/1/24, regardless of 'adult' or 'youth' status, may bowl the Main Event.   *Past or present PBA or PWBA members, though, are excluded.   

I'm 10 years old, and only average 128.  Is this tournament for me?

YES!   Because there is a scratch and handicap division (as well as girls scratch in singles), Main Event is open to ANY AVERAGE and ANY AGE, and we have a complete spectrum of winners- just look at previous Main Event results, or full JBT results at the "Schedule and Results" page of our website, to see what we mean!    DO NOT MISS MAIN EVENT because you think you're not "old enough" or "good enough"- you ARE!  (That all said, this a 'serious' tournament in a pro-style atmosphere with a long format that might be a bit much for an extremely young and/or very beginning bowler. Some younger bowlers or those looking for a shorter format can try just doing a doubles squad, as an example.  Check out our website and YouTube to get a feel for what our events look like.)

 I'm 24 years old, and my friend's grandpa is 87.  Got anything for us to bowl in?

YES!  The Team event on 12/29 can have up to two adult bowlers ('adult' means anyone age 22 or over as of 8/1/24) per team (but doesn't have to have any adults).

        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 all styles, for the singles event.  The doubles pattern is theoretically 'easier', and the team events are bowled on a 'recreation' level pattern.   We are pleased with the scoring pace from previous Main Events, and found that crankers, straighter players, lefties and righties, one-handers and two, all have had a good chance, so expect something similar in 2024.  Singles will of course have fresh oil at the start of every squad.  The bottom line is that lane conditions are an inexact science, and only part of the equation of 'how lanes play', 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, and make great shots (and make your darned spares!)

 Are all singles squads on fresh oil?

Yup! 

Are re-entries allowed?

Singles: Yes..  Additional singles squads after your first are on a space-available basis at the tournament site.  Each additional re-entry is $60, and we'll take the best of all your qualifying scores.

Doubles: Yes- You may re-enter as many doubles squads as you like, with the same or different partners.  You may only 'cash' once with the same partner.

Team: No- There is only one team squad this year.

 

Do I have to bowl ALL this stuff?

            No!  You can do as much or as little as you want.  You could show up on the 29th and still do singles, doubles, and team (that would be a lot of bowling in a short time though).  You could (not that we suggest it) skip the singles 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?

   South Point is offering great rates, especially great given that we get into New Year's week.  Click here for the direct link to book your rooms by December 3 (as space remains available- it usually sells out well before this).

Do I have to prepay to guarantee my spot?

        No, however we beg you to notify us if your plans have changed.  To be honest, we won't be thrilled if you have an unpaid reservation and don't show.   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.

        HOWEVER... DON'T PANIC.   We're very used to being as flexible as possible from our year-round JBT events.  If we can get you in, we absolutely will.

I can't afford to prepay, or I just found out I can bowl.  Can I just 'walk in'?

YES.  As long as space is still available, you can just show up and we'll get you on a squad, at no extra charge.  We're flexible!  However, reserving / prepaying guarantees your squad time (see above).

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

 After the 2 PM singles squad on the 29^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 7 PM, which will give us final cut numbers around 8-9 PM.  We'll also post these scores on the front page of the website as well as our facebook page.   Of course, instead of sitting around and getting nervous, get a team together and bowl the Team event!

Is the Prize Fund good?

    We sure think so.  The Open Scratch Singles division first place scholarship is guaranteed at a minimum $3,000 and $5,500 was the top prize in 2023)!  Not bad, huh?  $1,500 is on top for Handicap singles ($3,000 was the top prize in 2023), and $1,500 for Girls Scratch.  Over $150,000 was awarded the last four 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?

    Not at this time that we know of.  Sam's Town is working on bringing back their no-tap event, stay tuned.

We've never been to Vegas, tell me more about the location?

    South Point is at the south end (go figure) of the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd).  You're only about 10-15 minutes from the airport in good traffic.  There has been a hotel shuttle in the past- call the hotel for current info.  Uber/Lyft is an option.  If you're renting a car, joint their 'club' before your trip, rental car lines can be long.  You're 10-15 minutes from the heart of the strip if you'd like to explore there (don't drive on the strip itself unless you like going very slowly).  Things are much farther apart than they appear on the Strip, so be careful if you plan to 'walk it'.  Traffic lights are long in Vegas and there is a lot of construction, so be prepared for trips around town to take longer than expected.  There is an outlet mall and regular mall just north of South Point, and it's a suburban/urban area, so plenty of other shopping/food options (but only a very few things walkable).  Vegas weather is hard to predict- it has rained, snowed (really!), and been 80 and dry during Main Event- but in general expect cool to cold, mostly dry conditions.  Be ready for anything, but generally not swimsuit weather.  This is often a great time of year to explore non-casino parts of Vegas- great hiking at Red Rocks, winter weather on Charleston, Hoover Dam and Hoover Dam Bridge, many great museums all over town.

Tell me more about South Point itself?

    South Point itself is a very large hotel/casino.  Get and use a players card even if you don't gamble to build up bonuses.   It has numerous restaurants, and reservations where they allow them is a great idea.  The Plaza is a fairly long walk from the parking garage (with a few moving walkways and escalators along the way.  The traditional bowling center is NOT the Plaza- the hallway to the Plaza is the one with the giant horse statue near the cafe.     Look for the signs that say 'tournament bowling' or 'usbc bowling pavillion' and you're going the right way.  The Plaza itself only has a (famous) hot dog cart, and vending machines, so plan with that in mind.  There is lots of stadium-style seating, but the rows are pretty narrow.  There is unlimited ball storage in the check-in room for free.  

Whew!  As you can see, we’re working our butts off to make the 2024 Main Event as good as it can be and then some!  As always, please feel free to contact us 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.