Aside from slow players, I now found something I dislike equally as much. After watching many of these pro events, I noticed on the last shot of each game how the players and referee stand around the table waiting for the cue ball to come to a full stop before they can start placing the pocketed balls back up. I think this is an absurd waste of time as they wait for the slow moving cue ball to come to a complete rest. Especially since there is already a referee on hand. The referee and or players should be allowed to use their better judgment and just start placing the balls back up when they know that the cue ball has a zero chance of scratching.
New Pet Peeve in Pool
- Thread starter Rack’em
- Start date
“Better judgment “, that’s the problem
Slow play is way worse. A couple seconds to wait for the cue ball to stop rolling doesn't save much time in the grand scheme of things. It's like trying to beat the GPS eta time, won't make much difference.
If that specific situation accounts for a cumulative total of more than 15 seconds of "wasted" time in any given match, I'd be surprised.
There are plenty of things that annoy me in pool, but pros playing by the rules isn't one of them...
There are plenty of things that annoy me in pool, but pros playing by the rules isn't one of them...
I agree, quite annoying. (def not as bad a slow play though). This shows up even more on the Predator shoot out format. They have to wait for the CB to stop rolling when it's heading right to the middle diamond before setting up the spot shot again, and again, and again.
Rules have to be written so there's no ambiguity or "judgement" necessary in every situation.
there's not a ref on every table all through the tournaments. with area refs this rule makes sense
I watched one rack at the Turning Stone yesterday where the breaker sunk the 9 on the break, but the cue was spinning like crazy for about 10 more seconds. Wasn't moving, just spinning in place. Both players stood and watched it until it stopped, then started gathering the balls. Kind of funny, but if the guy I'm playing is waiting after I made that break, I'd stand there and wait too. Both of them standing there waiting made it seem even longer.
You aren't playing in the events, as a viewer it doesn't affect you, the delay is maybe a very few seconds at most, and as said rules are written to avoid ambiguity and to provide clear direction. It causes no real issues but avoids occasional silly arguments that I'm sure prompted the rule, along with the notion the the cue ball is sacrosanct - leave it alone unless you have ball in hand or the game is over. Then you aren't punching out some joker who claims the cue ball you just picked up was headed for a scratch, or some joker who picks up a cue ball just before it does.
For sure people that play fair, follow the rules no doubt scratch their heads at things that other people will do that cause certain rules to be needed, whether on purpose or just out of inexperience or ignorance.
George the Greek
Well-known member
The slow play locals here drive me crazy and they have no clue for the most part. They walk around and around looking at every shot like it's their life on the line and they have all the expensive equipment and paraphernalia. They have their names on the back of their jerseys/t-shirts like I give a shit what their name is lol.
it's a monkey see monkey do thing. same with the air cueing. can't really blame any one pro in particular, but obviously the successful methodical players have had an impact
George the Greek
Well-known member
The same with the finger tapping in snooker that started long before most of the players on tour were born. I read or heard someone say it helped with their timing..
I do that unconsciously. No control over it
Agree 100%.
The fact that the incoming players are all too happy to take the free game is disappointing.
If the ref called a foul on my opponent for grabbing balls out of a pocket after the last shot I would take the BIH and shoot the cue ball directly into a pocket.
The fact that the incoming players are all too happy to take the free game is disappointing.
If the ref called a foul on my opponent for grabbing balls out of a pocket after the last shot I would take the BIH and shoot the cue ball directly into a pocket.
I tap the ring finger on my bridge hand to remind the shooting hand that the ring finger is My trigger finger. It adds zero time to the pre shot routine. Most tapping I notice in snooker is the middle finger. Shrug
To each whatever gets you in the zone. Make it your own.