- Winner

First Impressions
Released in August 2018, the Roto Grip Winner presents itself as a technical reset in the HP2 line. Under the hood sits the modified Altered Hotshot core, a symmetrical design that puts up impressive numbers for this price segment: with a 2.54 RG and a very high 0.054 differential (at 15 lbs), it offers considerably more flare potential than its predecessors. Wrapped around this core is the new VTC-P18 Pearl Reactive coverstock (Versatile Traction Control). The factory finish of 1500 grit polished gives the ball in Red/Gold/Charcoal a glossy look that signals length immediately. The combination of high differential and polished pearl cover aims to create a ball that glides cleanly through the heads but makes a drastic, quick change of direction at the breakpoint.
Comparison
Compared directly to the Roto Grip Show Off (solid), the Winner goes considerably longer and turns more sharply. Where the Show Off reads early with its grabby Micro DNA cover and creates a rounded motion, the Winner saves its energy almost entirely for the backend. Looking outside the brand, the ball reaction recalls a Storm Hy-Road, but with one decisive difference: thanks to its higher differential (0.054 vs. 0.046 on the Hy-Road), the Winner often responds a touch more aggressively and more quickly to friction. It is not a smooth arcing ball like an !Q Tour, but a classic skid-flip piece that practically takes a left turn at the end of the pattern. It offers more overall motion than a Roto Grip Hustle, yet is cleaner through the heads than an Idol.
On the Lanes
The Roto Grip Winner is made for medium oil conditions and typical house shots. It is the perfect weapon once the lane goes through transition and the heads start to break down. When stronger balls begin hooking too early and losing energy, the Winner shows its strengths: it ignores the dry heads and uses the friction at the end of the pattern for a powerful hit. Thanks to the high differential, it still generates enough flare to avoid sliding right through the oil, but it absolutely needs dry boards at the breakpoint in order to react. It works extremely well if you like to open up the pocket and play angles, since the ball comes back reliably even from wide lines.