Playing with partners. Alternate turns or shots?

PegLeg

PegLeg

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I realize that most serious players don't play with partners a lot but if you play in bars a lot it happens. I have a question on playing with partners.

Lets say you have 2 teams with 2 players on each team. Do you alternate by turns or shots?

Turns: Each players shoots till they miss. Next team is up.

Shots: Each player on a team alternates shots. When one of them misses the other team is up and they do the same.

Most of the time it seems that people want to alternate turns. I know this guy who likes to alternate shots because he says it keep his rhythm flowing because you eliminate the longer periods of time between shots.
 
joeboxer

joeboxer

WIAWSNB
Silver Member
It should be alternating shots. At least thats what its always been when i've played mixed doubles.
 
dr2112

dr2112

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I usually play and prefer alternate shot, although its easier to get in and maintain a stroke with alternate turn. I guess it really depends on the match up. Two players that know each others game will fair better in alternate shot than ones that don't.
 
Cornerman

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Gold Member
Silver Member
PegLeg said:
I realize that most serious players don't play with partners a lot but if you play in bars a lot it happens. I have a question on playing with partners.

Lets say you have 2 teams with 2 players on each team. Do you alternate by turns or shots?

Turns: Each players shoots till they miss. Next team is up.

Shots: Each player on a team alternates shots. When one of them misses the other team is up and they do the same.

Most of the time it seems that people want to alternate turns. I know this guy who likes to alternate shots because he says it keep his rhythm flowing because you eliminate the longer periods of time between shots.
Click to expand...
The standard partners format at the BCAPL Nationals in Vegas is alternating shots. This is also known as Scotch Doubles.

In the Vegas event, the partners event is normally Mixed Scotch Doubles often known as Jack and Jill.

In the now defunct New England Billiard League (ACS and BCAPL sanctioned), Scotch Doubles was the normal format as well, but with no stipulation for Mixed.

Fred
 
tucson9ball

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
PegLeg said:
I realize that most serious players don't play with partners a lot but if you play in bars a lot it happens. I have a question on playing with partners.

Lets say you have 2 teams with 2 players on each team. Do you alternate by turns or shots?

Turns: Each players shoots till they miss. Next team is up.

Shots: Each player on a team alternates shots. When one of them misses the other team is up and they do the same.

Most of the time it seems that people want to alternate turns. I know this guy who likes to alternate shots because he says it keep his rhythm flowing because you eliminate the longer periods of time between shots.
Click to expand...

Years ago, most people played alternate turns. Nowadays, most people play alternate shots.
The problem with alternating turns is that the other team only has to play safe when the good player on their opposing team is next. So, putting your better shooter in front of theirs was a good strategy.
When you alternate shots, it is more difficult to play around the other teams better player. It makes for a more level playing field. Although, you have to be careful in picking a partner for alternate shots. Some folks don't play good position and your partner could leave you a bunch of difficult shots all day.
 
blah blah

blah blah

Shoebat
I've played a lot of doubles, and choose the format based on the opponent.

I want to play scotch (rotate between shots, not turns/ innings) if the opposing team fits either:
1. One player is significantly better than the other player
2. One player is left- handed and the other is right
3. One player is super tall and the other short
4. They are either in a relationship or are two young males

If they are about the same (Not dead equal- just about the same) in everything- skill, temperament, etc, then between turns is okay.

Also- my partners have always been close friends who are about my own speed, shape, temperament.
 
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blah blah

blah blah

Shoebat
tucson9ball said:
When you alternate shots, it is more difficult to play around the other teams better player. It makes for a more level playing field.
Click to expand...

Actually, I respectfully disagree with you here. First and foremost, the better player has no chance to run out. He is not running out on the game or running a rack.

On another level, they both feel pressure. The weaker player has pressure to perform to the better player's standards, and the better player feels a lot of pressure to carry the team. Both are self- conscious and frustrated when they miss a ball. Together there is pressure, too. The better player will try to tell the weaker player what shape to leave him- shots that the weaker player may not be able to either see or perform. This makes both of them resentful towards each other. Once their trust and confidence is gone, they will self- combust right in front of you.
 
KoolKat9Lives

KoolKat9Lives

Taught 'em all I know
Silver Member
blah blah said:
Actually, I respectfully disagree with you here. First and foremost, the better player has no chance to run out. He is not running out on the game or running a rack.

On another level, they both feel pressure. The weaker player has pressure to perform to the better player's standards, and the better player feels a lot of pressure to carry the team. Both are self- conscious and frustrated when they miss a ball. Together there is pressure, too. The better player will try to tell the weaker player what shape to leave him- shots that the weaker player may not be able to either see or perform. This makes both of them resentful towards each other. Once their trust and confidence is gone, they will self- combust right in front of you.
Click to expand...


Good post and good observations from blah blah! :thumbup:

I had despised playing scotch because:

1) I typically was the stronger player & often watched my partner make simple mistakes
2) Too much wasted time on advice discussion from some people - slowwww play, and often contentious times

But I got into a decent $ game ($200 sets) for scotch and got a partner of similar demeanor and speed. We played very well together and I really enoyed it for the first time.
 
CreeDo

CreeDo

Fargo Rating 597
Silver Member
this might depend on your goals (having fun vs making money). My goals are having fun, and I say alternate shots without a doubt.

With alternate turns, often someone doesn't get a turn, or you just wait a long time to get a chance to shoot. It feels more like 1v1 than doubles.

doubles truly feels like a team effort and you have to keep your partner's strengths and weaknesses in mind. I enjoy the challenge of teaming up with a weaker player and trying to get the kind of leave where missing the ball is almost impossible, and the cue ball will automatically get shape on something. Not to mention the challenge of comiing up with trick shots from what they leave you.
 
J

Jason Robichaud

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a guy over that plays about half speed of me. To change things up I decided to start playing the ghost with him scotch style. I have to play perfect to make up the difference in skill level. We can't beat the ghost with hill/hill being the best so far. If you want added pressure try this with a weaker player.
 
P

PetToilet

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
alternate shots is harder and forces more teamwork. alternate turns works fine for one pocket. alternate shots is fun for 14.1
 
G

gdog

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If it's social who cares? If your gambling it's part of the negotiations, just like giving weight.
 
DelaWho???

DelaWho???

Banger McCue
Silver Member
The scotch format keeps all of the players involved in the game.
The trick is to find someone who has a similar style and temperment. Skill level isn't as important to picking a partner. The stronger player should take the lead and set the weaker player in a position to play natural shape. It's like dancing, someone has to lead.
To the comment about added pressure....My response is to have a conversation with your partner before you get started. The stronger player should ease the weaker players pressure by telling him you know he'll do his best and not to worry about putting you right on a ball.

There is no "sorry" between partners. Both players must know the other is putting forth the best effort and if something bad happens, it isn't anything to apologise for because you didn't mean to do it.

I personally hated the format when I first played it, but now it is what I prefer.

:cool:
 
iusedtoberich

iusedtoberich

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If there is a large difference in speed between the partners on one team:

1. Alternate shot will make the team combined speed very close to the weaker player.

2. Alternate turn will make the team combined speed very close to the strong player.

Also, many people simply can't play partners because of their personality/temper/brain. If you are gambling, you have to exploit that when matching up. And if that is on your own team, you better run away.
 
Black-Balled

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
WTF?! (I hate teaming:rolleyes:)

blah blah said:
I've played a lot of doubles, and choose the format based on the opponent.

I want to play scotch (rotate between shots, not turns/ innings) if the opposing team fits either:
1. One player is significantly better than the other player
2. One player is left- handed and the other is right
3. One player is super tall and the other short
4. They are either in a relationship or are two young males

If they are about the same (Not dead equal- just about the same) in everything- skill, temperament, etc, then between turns is okay.

Also- my partners have always been close friends who are about my own speed, shape, temperament.
Click to expand...
 
blah blah

blah blah

Shoebat
Vegas before last, a male pro, a male A player, and four women ranging from tourney- B to bar league- C went to a poolroom one night to have fun, drink, and play pool. In that order. But with that wide a skill set range, how to play so that everyone has fun and accomplishes the goals (have fun, drink, and play pool)?

The men split up, took one girl each, and played a game of scotch doubles. The other two girls were free to gossip, get beer, have a cigarette... At the end of the game, the first two girls sat out and the next two jumped up to team with each of the men. Win or lose, didn't matter for anything- even whether you got to play again next. No hurt feelings, ego, or competition with the game, skill, shots... Didn't even matter one was a pro and one had trouble making a ball.

All goals definitely accomplished.
 
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