Bowlero Elite Series Tournament 2 - Round 1 - Norm Duke vs. EJ Tackett

Watch EJ Tackett vs. Norm Duke at the Bowlero Elite Series this past September at Bowlero North Brunswick (NJ).
Tune in for the next tournament in the series: Sunday, December 29 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC to see who takes home the BES trophy.
Be sure to follow Bowlero Elite Series on KZbin for all the latest news and more: / channel

[@monkeycircus509]

I've seen EJ bowl up close and video makes his rev rate looks absolutely glacial. This guy's a freak of nature.

[@TwilightZone13]

I get more applause when I bowl league.

[@CurtisL8.3066]

jesaliga my mom is very supportive of my bowling

[@steezyboiiii808]

Curtis Lenox mine to

[@Jesusfanatic0711]

Who’s even there tho what do you expect??

[@D-Treble]

norms way of playing ages like a fine wine

[@volo1826]

Great to see that man still out here killing it.

[@vonzigle]

They both bowled a helluva game!👍👍👍

[@Slimzyjoe]

I bowled against Norm in a regional that was a best of 3 match and the guy fiddled with his tape constantly for 3 games, and the only game I got from him I rolled a 2 pin for 240. Norm shot 770. Relax Norm, the tape is fine. Lol.

[@TraumaER]

*EJ makes that ball look godlike LOL!*

[@azliazzetta5035]

The ball rolling like a two hander is throwing it

[@kipphelan]

Love Norm but he looks really tired tired in this video. Great testament to the man that he still can really compete at this level. EJ is scary powerful.

[@LukenUSee]

Fun to watch... Both are artists...just with very different styles.

[@brandonmoucatel9630]

Bowling is awesome

[@garla5851]

Amazing, a Crowd of about 9 to watch these Great Bowlers. 😳 When do they Bowl these matches at 3:30 AM ???

[@mrb43605]

I remember when the fire marshals had to halt the number of people coming to watch ! Sad for bowling ! That's why there is no money in bowling !

[@Bassmaster1256]

From the looks of Norm Duke it must be 3am.

[@rogerrobertson8506]

Nawww Rick, Norm's always had 'that look', even his dad, Dave, had 'em too. Earlier, I realized just how much Norm is resembling his dad, Dave, nowadays. It's true, Normy !!

[@cryptonator1988]

What you mean arent these bolero tournament worth like 50-100k

[@rayw9868]

Rick Cargo Duke always looks like someone poured Brut after shave on a gremlin

[@jamesnorton7601]

Norm- '' When I was your age loved the Donnie and Marie show!'' E.J.-'' Who the hell is Donnie and Marie?'' Passing the torch to the next generation- PRICELESS

[@steezyboiiii808]

I mean I think bowling isn’t dead it just needs to grow

[@gamersparadise743]

yeah but its been dying for 15 years

[@steezyboiiii808]

@@gamersparadise743 lmaoooo true

[@andrewphillips2179]

it was a very impressive game for E.J. Tackett

[@cleswag2419]

It’s a house shot u know that right?

[@chrisfentress13]

@@cleswag2419 can you even get a 200 game on a house shot?

[@Krranski]

​@@cleswag2419 279 is still really good on THS. Top-tier pros such as these two probably average in the mid-240s on THS. Duke did merely average by this standard, even when he pretty badly missed two shots whereas Tackett did very well, leaving only a ring-10 due to poor ball motion entering the pocket, and a 2-pin because it didn't matter on the 12th and was an unfocused attempt. Everything else Tackett buried with almost ideal ball placement in the pocket.

[@cleswag2419]

chris fentress lol clown u don’t even know me dingleberry

[@JasonEmerson711]

He had at least five boards on the right and around 3 to 4 on the left side that held pocket nicely. Nearly unbeatable when it comes out clean off his hands and he doesn't yank it.

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

i am very curious to know how EJ release his ball

[@travishanson166]

Same as any hook ball, but he snaps his whole arm from the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Hence why he has to sprint to the line. Wrist alone is good for around 425, elbow another 50, and shoulder probably 75, add the sprint to the line, 650 is probably possible, stacking the momentum of the approach with the snap of the arm.

[@KevinMphotography]

I’ve never seen Tackett bowl before. He sure has some nice revolutions

[@noampeleg9766]

Love his form

[@marbleracingstudios9552]

Have you been living in a cave???? He’s been a star for a few years now!

[@KevinMphotography]

Marble Racing Studios Yeah I haven’t been bowling in some years now, I’ve been spending most of my time racing marbles.

[@marbleracingstudios9552]

So Have I 😉😉😉

[@rogerrobertson8506]

I lost my marbles ..... I got married in 2015, so guys, it's in a short period of time, of only within 5 years ! Be prepared !! Really won't help tho. Yes, it does ! Does not !! Uh huh !! Nope !! Seeee, what I started. Now I have to argue with myself ! And I always lose ...... Known Norm personally, for over 40 years, never see him throw any differently & the reason he ranks what he does, but, after watching EJ, his were on the mark consistantly. Noticed he takes control of match, when he feels pressure, as he did in this match against HoF Inductee, Norm Duke. EJ will be a force to be reckoned with for many long years to come !!

[@LongtowerNyc]

Man.. Bowling has died. The dry claps are empty. I remember back in the day when I watched Norm Duke and the House was full. Sad sight now.

[@Scstorm10]

Different event. This is a bowlero event not a PBA event probably dont allow that many people in. Due to ameaturs bowling and not wanting to make them nerveous

[@Frostecy]

Bowling is dead? Jajajaja you funny

[@jeremiahabel3093]

oh please 🤨

[@shawnbraun9020]

I've never bowled 10 pin competitively but watching EJ makes me wanna get into so bad. I bowled Duckpin for 25 years. My high game is 247 and high set 570 x2 and my 247 game wasn't in either of those.

[@dham99]

Love watching them, both are very talented bowlers! Just curious..I thought these were televised...I'm very surprised to see it appearing to be a regular night out of bowling type thing, vs a big spectacle. These two deserve an audience! Come bowl in San Antonio, I'd love to watch y'all bowl!

[@MrSoto]

Only the final matches are televised. This is a tournament anyone in a league and qualify for. Pros VS amateurs. Guy from Chicago one last year. One of the biggest payouts in bowling. 270,000 1st place!

[@lebroncurry9886]

2019 2x winner vs 2023 player of the year!

[@joesweeney3089]

The crowd is so quiet

[@brigham2250]

Very annoying where they keep the scoreboard. How stupid.

[@antero.jrsarreal8116]

😊😊😊😍😍😍😊😊😊 2 EXCELLENT WORLD CHAMPION BOWLERS .

[@luminayre6227]

It would be nice to know the oil pattern. I'd like to at least know if it's a house shot or something special.

[@CurtisL8.3066]

Pretty obvious it’s a house shot, fairly walled up too

[@luminayre6227]

@@CurtisL8.3066 I figured but since they're pros it would be nice if they added that info to the video description.

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

I like how Norm is using that Crux Prime. I have a best friend has that ball but he didn’t use that much because the oil at our local center was so brutal and torture since the oil machine was broken. He’s gonna use that ball soon after the Summit Oil Machine is gonna replace the dying EZ Touch Oil Machine.

[@joshuaslosser6988]

It’s crazy how much of a difference that an additional 150 revs make.

[@prototypejack671]

Why does every ball Norm Duke touches look like he’s using bigger balls than the other bowlers?

[@DaveBais]

Cause he is 4ft

[@prototypejack671]

Storm Bowling Dave Bais he’s 5’6”

[@DaveBais]

@@prototypejack671 i was joking.. Jeeszzz

[@vonzigle]

Optical illusion!

[@j-doragon7985]

I think Norm is throwing 16 lbs and I've heard they're a tad bit larger therefore that could be a small part of it. Ej is pretty short too, but it probably is mostly due to perspective with his size.

[@jonathancauley84]

Why do you keep posting this darn video!! It’s already been posted

[@LouisFarraconn]

Why do they blow in the thumbhole?

[@mattgordon1977]

It gets moisture in the thumb hole for a better grip.

[@CurtisL8.3066]

This is pretty much what these guys would do to you if they bowled on league with you on a house shots. 800s every week

[@dougiefresh8234]

Tackett had a 278 the score was wrong

[@Rick_Schott]

Strike, spare, sheet is 280. EJ broke for 9 on the last shot- 279.

[@Steve_Edberg]

Next time try actually checking the math before commenting?? 😂🤦‍♂️

[@KO-OG-Passport-Bro-1997]

Damn Norm bowled a GREAT game!!!

[@Ironfangzu]

Yeah it's really pretty rare not to see Norm throw 12 into the pocket. It's usually a matter of carry and sometimes him being off a quarter inch here and there. Of course on this night he ran into EJ in locked-in mode. Not going to be too many guys who can beat EJ when he's throwing it pretty much dead flush with that kind of ball speed and rev rate. Skill and precision can often beat power and revs, but on this night EJ had it all going.

[@joshuapangan262]

it feels weird that there’s no commentators

[@teejay6063]

Imagine being Norm getting his 8 revs bowling a guy who gets 8 revs by the dots.

[@JohnSebeny]

Be nice to see EJ vs Robert Smith

[@zForce4]

Is no one going to talk about the right lane rack (or guard or sweeper or whatever you call it) ?

[@thegdoat1]

Not if you don't know what it is.

[@brandonwilliams5563]

@thegdoat1 He's questioning about how fast the sweep comes down.

[@sokngykheang4663]

Motiv forge fire so cool

[@russellgilbert3453]

You can, almost, hear Norm thinking. 🤔

[@天天吃火雞]

高手的對決!精彩!

[@tomwilliams5933]

Those pins sound heavy

[@allenkyonosukecruz7567]

Nice one EJ

[@SVJROADSTER770]

EJ will be the best one day!

[@Krayzieboy99]

Naw he won't, Anthony S or Jesper S that is after how Jason Belmonte ends...

[@cleswag2419]

Pretty silly having this on a house shot where it’s just a carry fest and whoever gets luckiest wins

[@OkayNiceOne]

Stop talking.

[@varixtional-3233]

OkayNiceOne why it’s facts

[@Krranski]

except there were two clearly missed shots by Duke which cost him the game.

[@abetteridea9841]

I agree; they knock these pros to hell with all the crazy sport patterns and then throw them on house pattern .

[@cleswag2419]

OkayNiceOne eat glass toad

[@caylathomas587]

Go Ej!!

[@jeffclark6552]

Camera work is meh. Could use some improvement. Thanks for the upload though!

[@abetteridea9841]

.I'm a Duke fan but Tackett isn't affected by the Duke "presence" like some of the other younger pros...solid bowler

[@ryanbradleyrankin]

Tackett is only young in number. He is already so experienced and even hall of fame eligable.

[@JasonEmerson711]

His game is magnificent when he throws it the way he did there. He can beat anyone. Anywhere. He's that good.

[@dougpullins1215]

Tacket is not hall of fame eligible. You have to be a pba member for 20 years. He joined in 2012.

[@ryanbradleyrankin]

@@dougpullins1215 I'm well aware but on the day we reach that date he is well enough qualified for it.

[@samschossig334]

@abetter idea same here, Duke is my favorite of all time. Tackett is an animal. So good

[@DarkDays4]

LOL. Bowlmor buys the PBA. House shot time!!!!!!111!

[@johngritenas4466]

Super quiet atmosphere. Kinda boring!!

[@barryoderfer]

Are you sure Tackett isn't throwing that ball 2-handed? DAMN.

[@volo1826]

There's been a few one handers that rival two handers for rev rate. My favorite has always been robert smith. That man could give belmo or osku a run for their money both in speed and revs.

[@naughtyboy3604]

@@volo1826 If there were more volume of oil on the lanes, Smith would leave visible rooster 🐓 tails.

[@brandonbohon8464]

Pete Weber is the GOAT

[@Skumpatron]

In some matches that Norm Duke it playing on, some in the crowd boo?!?? Like tf!?

[@armoredkore]

siggi9400 it’s not boo, they’re chanting duuuuuke. I used to think that until the commentators mentioned it one match

[@zForce4]

armoredkore tbh, without any context, anyone would think they are booing. But everytime I heard the crowd ”boo” I always gasp a “D” sound so I figure out it was duke

[@sammysantiagoFL5]

Nice

[@ksb-ld5ow]

I swear norm keeps messing with his shit just to get extra camera time

[@chadmichaelmobile4743]

Norm is a human rain delay.

[@pokiis3108]

crux prime baby

[@Bassmaster1256]

Looks like Mike Sledz walking around!

[@Traducteur1]

The problem is that now John Doe can also shoot perfect games on a regular basis, and the pros don't look as impressive as they used to, and as they should. Technology has to stop improving at some point.

[@dougpullins1215]

Traducteur1 amateurs can't average 230+ on super tough conditions. These events aren't on easy house shots.

[@Traducteur1]

@@dougpullins1215 You're right, but again, some amateurs don't understand that.

[@TraumaRider]

Can't the PBA promote/encourage more crowd participation? The crowd is dead, no enthusiasm at all. It's like these guys are bowling at the morgue!

[@Scstorm10]

This is not a PBA event.

[@DynamicGracer]

If you bowl perfectly, you will lose to EJ by 40 pins

[@poindextertunes]

Talk about polar opposites 😂

[@weaver5326]

their styles are north and south lol

[@316SR]

No Drunk Yobbos?

[@bd0821]

Not that EJ couldn't hang with most everyone but this is why I hate when they can line up inside of 15 and just let it fly to the right. Not fun to watch. This would be the same if the made the hole in golf 4 ft. wide, when precision is taken out of ANY sport I'm out. Sorry for being "that old guy".

[@donm6578]

Norm looks so unsettled at the start of this video

[@tackywacky99]

I think norm is so used to bowling on extremely hard conditions ( thats where his game thrives) that he didn't think to even see how much area he had to miss. he realized half way through the game it was just a house shot... from EJ's 5 boards of margin of error. Too bad its a one game match and its too late by then.

[@steezyboiiii808]

Wow do people only come to real bowling games jeez crowd is full of crap

[@elgenfranord1651]

Norm is favoritt

[@boyitsame]

Norm Duke always nervous as heck

[@bennorris2424]

Key to beating Tackett is to capatalize on his splits and errors none happened there

[@chrisfentress13]

It's hard to split on a house shot

[@larsonmarkov1699]

Duke looks terrible here. He needs a hair transplant

[@paymecashnow22]

They couldn't mic up some Joe blow for some commentary on these matches?