Pool Players' shot clock for Round Robin Tournament

[JoeW]

We use a chess shot clock with 7 minutes for each player in our round robin format. After searching the net the link shown below is the best clock I have found that can be installed on a laptop computer. It is large enough to be seen by most people in the room. The Fisher option allows the player ten seconds to get to the table.

At times the player has been responsible for tripping the clock at other times we have had the loser of the last match as the time keeper for the next match. This seems to work best.

A seven minute time clock does not seriously effect anyone's game as there is plenty of time. What it does do is keep everyone on task. It has come into play maybe twice in over 100 games. None-the-less it is useful to keep the match moving.

Does any one know of a better clock? I have written to the author of this public domain (GNU) java script chess clock and suggested that

1. The clock could be larger (full screen)
2. Have optional colors
3. Needs to have his link prominently displayed.
4. Need a bell to sound when one player loses based on time.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.
I know there are several java script programmers on AZB. Is there anyone interested in making modifications? Simply save the link and modify as needed. I haven't written programs in over eight years and don't really feel like getting up to speed in the use of Java script. A nice feature of this clock is that it can be saved and run offline in the browser. A large clock allows for many comments and harrassments. All in all we have a great time with this setup.

http://bobchess.doubtlesshouse.org.uk/BobChessClock.htm

I am also looking for a computerized round Robin tournament program that would allow one to enter all names and then record the wins and losses for each player. Any ideas here would also be appreciated. I would pay $20.00 or so for the software but not much more. Our tournaments only have 4 - 7 people so it could probably be placed in an Excel or MS word doc.

There are other features to our tournament setup such as player assignments and mainataining a data base for handicaps that could also be computerized. If anyone is interested I will email the whole design which we have used for a few years. It works quite well for handicapped round robins that anyone can win if they are on their game.

In the next post I will post our announcement for anyone who is interested.

 

[JoeW]

8-Ball Round Robin Tournament

(Photo of the table and the room is shown here.)

Who: APA/ TAP or similar players, max number of players = 7

What: Handicapped Round Robin Tournament
9’ Gold Crown 4 ½ ” pockets with Simonis cloth

Where: Joe and Kay Waldron’s House
49680 Carmel Achor Rd, Rogers
(Near E. Palestine Country Club 1 mile west of Rt. 170)
Telephone (330) 227-3438

When: Every Friday 7:00 PM sharp. Practice time starts at 6:00 PM

Get In: $10.00
Pay Outs

N Players 1st 2nd 3rd N Rounds
4 $30 $10 3
5 $30 $10 $5 2
6 $40 $15 $5 1
7 $40 $25 $5 1

RSVP preferred, contact
Joe Waldron (330 227-3438)

(The flip side of the page shows our general conditions as shown below)

Format:
1. Modified APA rules (choice on the break, call ball and pocket after the break. Eight on the break is not a win, it spots.). See below for other modifications.
2. Each player plays at least once per hour, usually more often.
3. Lower handicap player has to make fewer balls than higher handicapped player.
Ball Advantage = 7 – (High hc – Low hc). Example, a 6 HC. plays a 4 HC. Ball advantage = 7 – (6-4) = 5. Lower handicap player needs to make five balls and then the 8 Ball to win. Lower handicapped player can remove one or more of their balls at the beginning of the inning. They are not required to remove any balls.
4. A chess shot clock is used and each player has a total of seven minutes per game. The player turns off their clock after each shot. If your clock runs out, you lose.
5. Winner marks win loss for both players on the tournament sheet.
6. Loser racks for next game and may be the time keeper.
7. Winner of the last game is the referee for the next game. There is no tournament director. Disagreements resolved by all tournament players with majority rule.
8. If you win a tournament your handicap goes up one ball (max = 7). If you do not come in the money for 3 tournaments your handicap drops by one ball (lowest = 2).
9. Tournament winner is the person who wins the most games. One game sudden death is used for tied positions. Splitting the pay out is not allowed. Higher hc breaks.
10. No coaching while the player is at the table. Any and all coaching allowed between shots (makes for a fun time with lots of woofing).
11. The player has two minutes to be at the table when their game is called. After two minutes the late player loses by default.

Players often bring a significant other. There is usually a card game and bowling or golf using a Wii on a 6” plasma TV for those who are not playing.

BYOB. Players may (not required) bring something to contribute to the party, chips, snacks, etc.

Depending on the number of players and interest there may be two tournaments and or challenge matches after the first tournament. We start on time so if you are late you might get in the next tournament.

The tournament is limited to the first seven players. Late comers have first choice for the next tournament with lowest winning players from the last tournament sitting out.

The tournament is held at our home and appropriate behavior is expected. Keep the cussing to a minimum, no foul language among a mixed group of adults (no children invited). Any player can (and has) won this tournament but you have to be on your game. If you don’t have a known handicap we will figure one out for you.

 

[ajrack]

Excel players info

I sorta designed how I wanted to set up a large round robin tourney. A friend of mine's "hot shot computer whizzz kid' did a great program, using Excel, to connect any amount of players, and even have a seperate listing of all players with W-L totals. Haven't used it for 6-7 years...Now I will try to find it! When I do ...I'll let you know.