I run a BCA / ACS 8 ball league and slow play is occasionally a problem. We have several players that take entirely too long to play a shot; I've seen two of them spend more than 2 minutes looking at a hanger! I purchased some inexpensive timers off ebay and make them available on request
All teams, have the right to ask for time clocks which I provide. Both players/ teams have to be on the clock, not just one player / individual. They get 1 minute to shoot and each player has 1 extension or time out per rack. They get a warning at 10 seconds but if the player is down on a shot, no warning. Since time outs are allowed in this league, they are timed, too and the length is also one minute.
Directions for this are in the World Standardized Rules or ACS or BCA rule books.
I think that shot clocks provide an edge to the better player because they are less likely to get themselves in a difficult position. I've also seen them as more decisive as well.
There are exceptions to the rule. During our state 9 ball championships last summer, one of the players, who is notoriously slow, got one bracket way behind and started his next match. In a race to 9, the match was tied at 3 all after an hour! I grabbed a clock and headed over and explained the situation. Both players understood, although there were some smart ass comments, and continued. The slowest player, nicknamed Almost Never Dunn, immediately started playing faster and better, too. The last few games were played in a matter of minutes. Despite that, I still can't convince him to play faster - he just refuses to do so. I'll just carry a stop watch whenever he's playing.
Race to 7 in 9 ball? I think no more than 90 minutes. 125 in straight pool? 2 hours.
Just my opinion. Good thread by the way!
Brian in VA
All teams, have the right to ask for time clocks which I provide. Both players/ teams have to be on the clock, not just one player / individual. They get 1 minute to shoot and each player has 1 extension or time out per rack. They get a warning at 10 seconds but if the player is down on a shot, no warning. Since time outs are allowed in this league, they are timed, too and the length is also one minute.
Directions for this are in the World Standardized Rules or ACS or BCA rule books.
I think that shot clocks provide an edge to the better player because they are less likely to get themselves in a difficult position. I've also seen them as more decisive as well.
There are exceptions to the rule. During our state 9 ball championships last summer, one of the players, who is notoriously slow, got one bracket way behind and started his next match. In a race to 9, the match was tied at 3 all after an hour! I grabbed a clock and headed over and explained the situation. Both players understood, although there were some smart ass comments, and continued. The slowest player, nicknamed Almost Never Dunn, immediately started playing faster and better, too. The last few games were played in a matter of minutes. Despite that, I still can't convince him to play faster - he just refuses to do so. I'll just carry a stop watch whenever he's playing.
Race to 7 in 9 ball? I think no more than 90 minutes. 125 in straight pool? 2 hours.
Just my opinion. Good thread by the way!
Brian in VA
