Talking between shots in doubles

[TheNewSharkster]

I play doubles or scotch doubles with some friends on occasion. Some of them make a point to talk about each shot before they shoot it. This might be the single most annoying things in the world. A 5 minute game goes 30 minutes.

When I bring it to their attention I get a response like "we have the right to talk about our shot". That is fine if it is only once in awhile. The second I say something to my partner they jump all over my ass for talking about shots even though it is only once in a blue moon.

If we play scotch doubles it is even worse. I tried to make some sort of timeout rule but they wouldnt have any of that. I got them to agree to no table talk once. Anyways, I just wanted to vent a little. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[mikepage]

We play scotch doubles all the time. Generally we do no talking. Sometimes one team gets to talk as part of their spot. Another option is to allow one talking "time out" per game.

We generally allow team A to talk amongst themselves while team B is shooting.

It's amazing for how many teams the ability to talk is a detriment. Depending on my opponents' personalities, it's sometimes not too hard to get me to give in and give them that "spot."

I play doubles or scotch doubles with some friends on occasion. Some of them make a point to talk about each shot before they shoot it. This might be the single most annoying things in the world. A 5 minute game goes 30 minutes.

When I bring it to their attention I get a response like "we have the right to talk about our shot". That is fine if it is only once in awhile. The second I say something to my partner they jump all over my ass for talking about shots even though it is only once in a blue moon.

If we play scotch doubles it is even worse. I tried to make some sort of timeout rule but they wouldnt have any of that. I got them to agree to no table talk once. Anyways, I just wanted to vent a little. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[SMG]

when i play doubles it is usually at a bar with people who could care less if they win or not. i understand how that could be irritating though. YOU JUST WANNA PLAY!

 

[shayla]

Maybe suggest you should play by BCA Scotch Doubles rules. There used to be one time out per game, but now there are NO time outs. The only time you can talk to your teammate about a shot is when you are not shooting. Once the opposing team stops shooting, you must cease talking to your partner and the correct person next to shoot has to get up and shoot.

This allows you to talk about shots and strategy but not hold up the game.

Works great!

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Partners can be very irritating if played with "certain" loose-lipped people. If I want my partner's opinion, I will ask for it. Otherwise, it bugs the snot outta me when they say "do this shot with high left!" before I've even formulated an opinion! Casting doubt on my shot selection is a kiss of death! Bugger off!

When my opponents start debating ad nauseum their every other shot, I just wanna scream!

Anyway, partners CAN be fun.

But please, don't offer advice unless your partner asks for it.

 

[Gregg]

when i play doubles it is usually at a bar with people who could care less if they win or not. i understand how that could be irritating though. YOU JUST WANNA PLAY!

Yup, that's the gist of it!

Maybe the dude is just way too intense for doubles! :thumbup:

 

[NineBallNut]

It's true that talking about every shot is overkill and can be annoying.
However, when I play scotch doubles for money, anytime a shot arises where there are position options, I always ask my partner which he'd prefer. I'd rather have him shooting a shot he's comfortable with than leaving him where I'd be comfortable and causing him to miss or have an excuse

 

[DelaWho???]

It's true that talking about every shot is overkill and can be annoying.
However, when I play scotch doubles for money, anytime a shot arises where there are position options, I always ask my partner which he'd prefer. I'd rather have him shooting a shot he's comfortable with than leaving him where I'd be comfortable and causing him to miss or have an excuse

I agree with this. Partners is like dancing, someone has to lead. I don't see a problem with my partner telling me where to leave him. Talking really isn't an issue with established partners. They already know each others shooting stlye and ability.

I do also agree that the partner shouldn't be each other how to execute a shot.

:thumbup:

 

[Andrew Manning]

I play doubles or scotch doubles with some friends on occasion. Some of them make a point to talk about each shot before they shoot it. This might be the single most annoying things in the world. A 5 minute game goes 30 minutes.

When I bring it to their attention I get a response like "we have the right to talk about our shot". That is fine if it is only once in awhile. The second I say something to my partner they jump all over my ass for talking about shots even though it is only once in a blue moon.

If we play scotch doubles it is even worse. I tried to make some sort of timeout rule but they wouldnt have any of that. I got them to agree to no table talk once. Anyways, I just wanted to vent a little. Has anyone else had this problem?

I used to play scotch doubles frequently for small money with a few guys. It went without saying that talking between shots during your turn is allowed, but the discussion was usually kept to 15 seconds or less. Usually it was just the shooter asking what angle the non-shooter wanted on the next ball, or whether he wanted to be left X combo or Y bank. Sometimes the non-shooter would suggest a strategy to the shooter ("play safe behind the 4", or "push out to here"), but this never turned into much of a discussion.

-Andrew

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I think it is fine to ask your partner where to leave it. The problem I see is player A say to do this and player B wants to do something else and it turns into a debate.

 

[blueridge]

The APA has Scotch Doubles tournaments and league divisions that play scotch doubles, and each team gets 1 time out per game. Other than that, you're not allowed to talk to your teammate during your inning. I think this is a terrible rule, especially if you have a lower skill level player on your team who often doesn't know how to play position. I think talking to your teammate is imperative to good scotch doubles play. As long as you have a shot clock, it shouldn't slow down the game too much, which is the main argument people make in favor of not letting teammates talk about shots.

It makes no sense that the best players in the world can talk to each before every shot in the World Cup of Pool Scotch doubles, and some mediocre amateur like myself is limited to 1 time out per game.

 

[Andrew Manning]

I think it is fine to ask your partner where to leave it. The problem I see is player A say to do this and player B wants to do something else and it turns into a debate.

That's when a scotch doubles team, if they like money, knows when to abort the discussion. If my partner is shooting, and I suggest option A, and he still wants to go with option B, I say "okay, option B sounds good, just wanted to make sure you took A into account." Even if I think B is the wrong shot, it's a far worse idea to start telling him all the bad things that will happen with his shot. Rule #1 of being a good scotch doubles team is learn how not to put your partner off his game.

-Andrew

 

[DelaWho???]

I used to play scotch doubles frequently for small money with a few guys. It went without saying that talking between shots during your turn is allowed, but the discussion was usually kept to 15 seconds or less. Usually it was just the shooter asking what angle the non-shooter wanted on the next ball, or whether he wanted to be left X combo or Y bank. Sometimes the non-shooter would suggest a strategy to the shooter ("play safe behind the 4", or "push out to here"), but this never turned into much of a discussion.

-Andrew

Exactly what I am talking about being acceptable. No debate or techincal discourse, but coordination type talk. I see nothing wrong with this.

:thumbup:

 

[Bigtruck]

It's amazing for how many teams the ability to talk is a detriment.

I prefer to allow talking for this very reason. Not only must you move on the table, you must also have human moves.

If you're a good motivator and person, you are a better team mate than if you are a great player and an a$$. IMO.

Ray

 

[muttley76]

While I don't mind playing doubles without talking, I love Scotch doubles for exactly that reason. I enjoy the challenges of asking my partner where they want the cueball. It opens me up to different pattern play, and can test me to play positions I might not play for myself, or a partner that isn't talking..

 

[TheNewSharkster]

While I don't mind playing doubles without talking, I love Scotch doubles for exactly that reason. I enjoy the challenges of asking my partner where they want the cueball. It opens me up to different pattern play, and can test me to play positions I might not play for myself, or a partner that isn't talking..

Its funny. I suspected that most people would agree with me but it seems that it is around 50/50 if not in favor of people who think it is cool to do this. I say bring on the debate

 

[DelaWho???]

Its funny. I suspected that most people would agree with me but it seems that it is around 50/50 if not in favor of people who think it is cool to do this. I say bring on the debate

What's wrong with telling your partner "put me on the 4 ball"? or "lock his ass up"?
I'm not telling you to hit it with 1/2 a tip of top right and a medium stroke, and then correcting you when you get down on the shot wrong. I am merely ensuring we are both on the same page.

 

[mikepage]

What's wrong with telling your partner "put me on the 4 ball"? or "lock his ass up"?
I'm not telling you to hit it with 1/2 a tip of top right and a medium stroke, and then correcting you when you get down on the shot wrong. I am merely ensuring we are both on the same page.

Of course there's no "right" or "wrong" about it. It's what makes for an interesting game.

We often do scotch doubles when a ring game or king of the hill would be too lopsided. So if we have four players rated A, B, B, and C, then we'll make it A/C versus B/B. The two middle players usually think more or less the same and can choose reasonable patterns and probably have a decent idea what each other is thinking. The A/C team, on the other hand, is more interesting.

The A player might set up for a perfect easy stop-shot lock tight safety. And then his partner might get up and try to bank the ball someplace. This for us is part of the game and part of what that A player needs to be thinking about.

Of course everything is up for negotiation ...