Another Bastardization Of The Game?
- Thread starter Scaramouche
- Start date
Looks interesting to me. Could be an additional variation instead of being seen negatively. The players seemed to be enjoying themselves.
I'm strongly in favor of more snooker. This sport has been on the way out and needs revival. Personally I enjoy the tradition of waste coats and bow-ties, but if study shows that it's a little off-putting and hurting the adoption of the game then get rid of it. If the slow drug out tactical battles, especially at the start and sometimes end of each frame, that I find fascinating, but turn off tv viewers, then lets speed it up a little. This game has evolved and improved for centuries. In order to attract the short attention spans of the youtube generation, perhaps a change is needed.
However if we follow that evolutionary path (game takes too long, making balls is too hard, inaccessible to the general public etc) then you end up with pool. Perhaps snooker is the Neanderthals branch of the cue-sports evolutionary tree and all of us snooker fans in this forum are just fighting the windmills of natural selection.
I think at the amateur level, ball in hand as a penalty for a foul might not be a bad thing. However, with strong players, like in pool, ball in hand will result loss of game. In a race to 5 this penalty is very severe.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the game of snooker in its current incarnation. I'm beginning to understand why the spots are exactly where they are and not an inch to the left, or to right and why alternating reds and colours actually makes it easier to make large breaks, rather than a straight sequence of balls (like 9ball). I'm sure somebody has written a book about that, but by discovering that myself by playing has giving me a even deeper understanding and joy in playing snooker.
However if we follow that evolutionary path (game takes too long, making balls is too hard, inaccessible to the general public etc) then you end up with pool. Perhaps snooker is the Neanderthals branch of the cue-sports evolutionary tree and all of us snooker fans in this forum are just fighting the windmills of natural selection.
I think at the amateur level, ball in hand as a penalty for a foul might not be a bad thing. However, with strong players, like in pool, ball in hand will result loss of game. In a race to 5 this penalty is very severe.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the game of snooker in its current incarnation. I'm beginning to understand why the spots are exactly where they are and not an inch to the left, or to right and why alternating reds and colours actually makes it easier to make large breaks, rather than a straight sequence of balls (like 9ball). I'm sure somebody has written a book about that, but by discovering that myself by playing has giving me a even deeper understanding and joy in playing snooker.
OnefourSeven
Interesting. Not sure if this helps the game or not - obviously the traditionalists will say No! For the programmers (TV) - this format sets a time limit - which makes their job easier. At the same time it makes it easy for the amature spectators to simply watch the scores to see who's winning. (I am making this statement with the understanding novice spectators to the game of snooker do not appreciate some of the best/most difficult shots can be the safety play immediately following the break - which can set the table for winning or losing the game.)
By their own words the format is to speed up the game - which may or may not be the answer. It wasn't very long ago the game of 7-ball was being promoted on TV instead of 9-ball - but that didn't last very long. For a real joke - watch some of the Speed Pool on TV (I'm sorry. I can't!).
Having said all this has me asking the question whether the future of broadcasting pool is on TV or the internet?? Obviously TV sells more advertising (at least in today's market) - but internet has the potential to reach an international audience.
I guess time will sort this out. It was nice to see the players visiting with the spectators and signing autographs. Pool needs all the positive images it can find.
PS - Hello Underclocked! We used to play together at Butch's in Springfield. Good to see your comments.
Interesting. Not sure if this helps the game or not - obviously the traditionalists will say No! For the programmers (TV) - this format sets a time limit - which makes their job easier. At the same time it makes it easy for the amature spectators to simply watch the scores to see who's winning. (I am making this statement with the understanding novice spectators to the game of snooker do not appreciate some of the best/most difficult shots can be the safety play immediately following the break - which can set the table for winning or losing the game.)
By their own words the format is to speed up the game - which may or may not be the answer. It wasn't very long ago the game of 7-ball was being promoted on TV instead of 9-ball - but that didn't last very long. For a real joke - watch some of the Speed Pool on TV (I'm sorry. I can't!).
Having said all this has me asking the question whether the future of broadcasting pool is on TV or the internet?? Obviously TV sells more advertising (at least in today's market) - but internet has the potential to reach an international audience.
I guess time will sort this out. It was nice to see the players visiting with the spectators and signing autographs. Pool needs all the positive images it can find.
PS - Hello Underclocked! We used to play together at Butch's in Springfield. Good to see your comments.
Wity
Banned
Dont think it has much if anything to do with promoting the game, it's more to do with padding pros pockets as they seem to be moaning there's not enough tournaments around to justify being a full time pro.
Doesn't appeal to me one bit as a spectator nor does it encorage me to play more, spose that makes me more like Prince Charles who favours real tennis over tennis.
Doesn't appeal to me one bit as a spectator nor does it encorage me to play more, spose that makes me more like Prince Charles who favours real tennis over tennis.