.
So take these suggestions as constructive. I like the game and I like the idea of the new ABC League and I hope they both succeed.
1. If you scratch on the break, the other player gets the points and gets the table and gets ball in hand. (Did I miss something?
Scratch on the break doesn't give the table away, just points to opponent for balls pocketed.
PHP:
Were the players in the 100 point match playing by the same rules that I just read on your website?) It just will seem very foreign to people to scratch on the break and get to keep shooting.
Same rules, definitely foreign
PHP:
And scratching on the break is still showing a lack of skill or lack of control (for that moment anyway). So why shouldn't the offender be "punished"?
Not lack of skill all the time, quite often just dumb luck.
PHP:
2. Same idea with jumping balls off the table when breaking. It's a foul any other time. Why make exceptions for this? Leave the ball or balls down, the other player gets the points, and the other player comes to the table with ball in hand.
I think ob off the table on the break is a dumb rule but I do like your idea of ball staying down and opponent gets it.
PHP:
3. After missing a called shot with an inadvertent ball being pocketed or a called safety with a ball being pocketed: I think I like that the incoming player has choice (I wouldn't suggest you change it even if I didn't like it - that's a major thing and is "designer's prerogative"). BUT I think the "non-offending player" should get the points regardless of whether or not he chooses to give the shot back to the "offending player". The reason I suggest this...
Don't really like actually punishing the player cuz they lucked a ball in.
PHP:
What if the offending player is on 149 points and the position is lock-up? The "non-offending" player has to take the shot or he gives the game to the player on 149. But by being forced to take the shot that is lock-up, the wrong person is getting punished for the "error".
Could happen but could happen the other way too, player lucks in a ball and puts his opponent out.
PHP:
The first three, I suggest strongly. They make the rules cleaner - more consistent in implementation throughout the contest, and therefore easier to absorb for people playing the game. And again, I don't think they change any important strategies or nuances as you intended them to exist.
The next suggestion I feel less strongly about, but the existing three-foul rule does repeat the element of being inconsistent with the way the rest of pool games are played, therefore making it harder to learn, implement, and enforce.
4. If a player commits three consecutive fouls, subtract x points from his score. Re-rack the balls with the non-offending player having the break (regardless of previous alternating break sequence) with the usual ball in hand after the break. The alternating break sequence would begin anew with the offending player getting the subsequent break.
No like, think players would go for 3 fouls more often and while it is different we're only trying to teach 8 players at a time for now.
PHP:
I think people need to have it explained VERY CLEARLY that the *free shot* consists of being allowed to shoot ANY ball, that a ball does NOT have to be pocketed to continue, and that it is THEN FOLLOWED by ball in hand for the same player.
Yes is does need to be explained clearly
Actually, the more I think about it, I feel kinda strongly about this rule too. It's just really inconsistent with normal pool rules.
That's all
thanks
Fatz
