Bowling Oil Patterns

Oil patterns decide how the lane plays. The same ball, the same release, the same target will react three different ways on three different patterns. If you bowl in leagues or tournaments, knowing the pattern before you throw a shot is the difference between guessing and having a plan.

This is a full directory of the oil patterns used by Kegel and the PBA. For every pattern you get the real specs, a plain read on how hard it plays, and how to attack it based on your style: straight bowler, mid-rev tweener, or high-rev cranker. When an official sheet exists, I link straight to the source so you always get the real file.

Find Your Pattern

Search by name or sort by length, ratio, or level. Click any pattern for its specs and a lane-play plan you can use on practice night. Patterns marked with an arrow link to the official Kegel or PBA sheet.

How to Use This Directory

Pattern length tells you where the ball will leave the oil and start to hook. Short patterns under 38 feet hook earlier and reward angle. Long patterns 43 feet and up push the breakpoint down the lane and reward playing straighter.

The ratio is the difference between oil in the middle and oil on the outside. A high ratio around 8 to 1 or more plays easy and forgiving, like a house shot. A low ratio under about 4 to 1 is a flat sport pattern that punishes misses. Use both numbers together to set your expectations before you bowl. PBA patterns do not publish a public ratio, so use the length and the sport-level difficulty as your guide.