DV8 Smooth Criminal Bowling Ball Review: No Thumb Larceny Core + Jailbreak (S5) Hybrid

By Brian Halstrom, BowlersMart Editorial Team. Specs on this page are verified against DV8’s official Smooth Criminal release data.

The smartest move is the one you can trust. The DV8 Smooth Criminal was engineered to bring a new level of control to bowling, combining a lower RG, lower differential core with a smoother, lower-traction coverstock to produce a stable, predictable motion from start to finish.

Designed to expand DV8’s No Thumb performance options, the Smooth Criminal excels on short to medium patterns, wet/dry house conditions, and other challenging environments where stronger balls can become too responsive. By blending the pattern instead of overreacting to friction, it delivers the consistency and control high-rev players need when making quality shots matters most. It streets October 22, 2026 in Steel Blue / Black.

The Technology Behind the Smooth Criminal

The Smooth Criminal pairs DV8’s symmetric Larceny core (2.471 RG and .028 differential at 15 lb) with the Jailbreak (S5) hybrid reactive cover at a 500, 1000, 3000 Siaair Micro Pad finish. DV8 rates it for light to medium oil with a control-first reaction. DynamiCore adds hitting power and durability. The full per-weight numbers are listed below.

Complete Ball Specifications

RG and Differential by Weight

Weight	RG	Differential
16 lbs	2.483	.025
15 lbs	2.471	.028
14 lbs	2.488	.028
13 lbs	2.558	.030
12 lbs	2.579	.030

All three are part of DV8’s No Thumb family. The Dark Side Curse is DV8’s control-first medium oil ball, Double Trouble is the pearl for length and a strong backend, and the new Smooth Criminal goes further toward control, with a lower RG, lower differential core and a smoother, lower-traction cover for short patterns and wet/dry conditions.

Side by Side

Which One Belongs in Your Bag?

• Choose the Smooth Criminal: for short patterns, wet/dry house shots, and any time stronger balls become too responsive.
• Choose the Dark Side Curse: as the everyday medium oil No Thumb ball that stays out of trouble.
• Choose Double Trouble: when you want length through the front and a stronger move at the end.

Designed for ALL Styles of Bowlers

DV8 built the Smooth Criminal for No Thumb bowlers, especially high-rev players, who need control on short to medium patterns, wet/dry house conditions and other environments where stronger balls become too responsive.

Ideal Lane Conditions

The Smooth Criminal is particularly effective when:

• Short to medium patterns
• Wet/dry house conditions
• Broken-down lanes where stronger balls overreact
• Spare-to-strike control when quality shots matter most

Player Style Fit

• High-Rev No Thumb Bowlers: Low RG and low differential tame the reaction so it blends the pattern
• House Shot Bowlers: A stable, predictable ball for wet/dry conditions
• Sport and Short Pattern Players: Excels where stronger balls become too responsive
• Thumb-In Bowlers: DV8 publishes layout resources for thumb-in players as well

Where the Smooth Criminal Fits in Your DV8 No Thumb Arsenal

In DV8’s No Thumb lineup, the Smooth Criminal is the control ball at the bottom of the bag. It sits below the Dark Side Curse and Double Trouble for medium oil and the Outsider benchmark, and it is the one to reach for when everything else is too responsive.

Arsenal Strategy Guide

Medium Oil / Benchmark: Outsider, Double Trouble

Medium Oil / Control: Dark Side Curse

Light to Medium / Wet-Dry Control: Smooth Criminal (Jailbreak S5 Hybrid) ← Perfect middle ground

Real-World Arsenal Scenarios

High-Rev League Bowler: On a wet/dry house shot where your strong ball jumps left, the Smooth Criminal’s lower RG, lower differential core blends the pattern and keeps the ball in play.

Short Pattern Night: When the pattern is short and every stronger ball hooks early, the Smooth Criminal gives you the most stable, predictable look in DV8’s No Thumb line.

Thumb-In Bowler: The Smooth Criminal is not limited to No Thumb players. DV8’s layout resources cover thumb-in drilling as well.

To maximize the performance and longevity of your Smooth Criminal, follow these maintenance guidelines based on DV8’s official recommendations:

Pre-Order Information & BowlersMart Benefits

The DV8 Smooth Criminal officially releases on October 22, 2026. As one of the most anticipated releases of the year, we expect strong demand for this long-awaited piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the DV8 Smooth Criminal

What is the DV8 Smooth Criminal?

The Smooth Criminal is a DV8 No Thumb control ball. It combines the symmetric Larceny core, with a lower RG and lower differential, with the smoother, lower-traction Jailbreak (S5) hybrid cover at a 500, 1000, 3000 Siaair Micro Pad finish, with DynamiCore. DV8 engineered it for a stable, predictable motion from start to finish.

What conditions is it built for?

DV8 rates it for light to medium oil. It excels on short to medium patterns, wet/dry house conditions and other challenging environments where stronger balls can become too responsive, because it blends the pattern instead of overreacting to friction.

Who should use it?

It is aimed at No Thumb bowlers, and especially high-rev players who need consistency and control when making quality shots matters most. Thumb-in bowlers can use it too; DV8 publishes layout resources for both.

Specs, Weight, and Drilling

What are the Smooth Criminal specs and weights?

It comes in 12 through 16 lb in Steel Blue / Black. At 15 lb it measures a 2.471 RG and .028 differential; 16 lb is 2.483 / .025, 14 lb is 2.488 / .028, 13 lb is 2.558 / .030 and 12 lb is 2.579 / .030. It carries a two-year warranty.

Care and Buying at BowlersMart

How should I maintain it, and can I earn Striking Rewards?

Wipe the hybrid cover with an approved reactive ball cleaner after every session and deep clean it periodically. Every purchase of the Smooth Criminal qualifies for our Striking Rewards loyalty program, which is free to join.

Final Verdict: No Thumb Control You Can Trust

The DV8 Smooth Criminal fills the control slot in DV8’s No Thumb lineup. A lower RG, lower differential Larceny core and a smoother Jailbreak (S5) hybrid cover produce a stable, predictable motion that blends short patterns and wet/dry lanes instead of overreacting.

For high-rev No Thumb players who need a ball they can trust, it is the piece to add. It is available to pre-order now for the October 22, 2026 release at BowlersMart, with always free shipping, 60-day returns, and Striking Rewards points on every purchase.

See the DV8 Smooth Criminal at BowlersMart