Time clock

jimshovak said:
Bob,

Bingo!

I have already developed a scoreboard/time clock/inning counter specifically for our 3-cushion players. It will not only keep the score, but it will automatically keep innings. A "game clock" is also an available feature. Unlike a "shot clock" it gives you an amount of time FOR YOUR ENTIRE GAME! (just like the chess clock)

Therefore, you can take your time when necessary on tough shots, but overall you need to keep things moving along. If you run out of time, you lose, regardless of the score. That'll speed things up.
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One problem is what to do when you run out of time. My feeling is that forfeiting the game is sometimes too large a penalty. Suppose both players are in time trouble and I run out of time first. We are playing to 35 and I have 34 while my opponent has 12 and only one minute of time left.

One solution to this is to turn my opponent's remaining time into points. If you have allotted 40 seconds per point, give my opponent 2 points for his remaining time (rounded up) and call the final score 34-14 my favor.
 
One other point is that modern chess clocks provide for a grace time when the turn changes. On the chess clock I have, my time doesn't start counting down for up to 19 seconds after my turn begins. At 3-C this is not such a big deal, but at games like one pocket which may have long safety exchanges, it is better to allow extended play if done promptly.

Electronic chess clocks cost about $40.
 
jimshovak said:
I just want everyone to understand that NO PRIZE MONEY is donated BY THE USBA. It all comes from individuals that donate extra money towards the players' prize funds.
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Sorry it's a little off from the topic "Time Clock".

Talking about individual sponsor and donation, i know a great individual who has put more than 10k into three cushion tournaments in the last few years.

Basically, he adds money to the weekly tournament price pool, covers entry fees and adds money to monthly price pool. He also covers entry fees for house members to play in major sactioned/non sactioned USBA tournaments.

He enjoys playing three cushion for fun. He said it's fun, relaxing and he gets to walk a couple of miles around the table everytime he play.
 
sightline,

Please put him in touch with me. We are going to need a lot of financial support for the USBA National stream in April. We do not want to charge a fee to watch the Nationals but we want a professional well produced tournament. I think all U.S. viewers deserve to watch enjoyable matches from the best in our country.
 
Bert van Manen said:
Don't intend to take a position in the debate, just want to provide some info that may be helpful. As BJ said, Europe has gone through this process in the past 20 years, and we've asked ourselves the same questions.
1) Time-keeping, in some form, is a very good thing from a spectator viewpoint, but more importantly, it is necessary to keep the playing field level. Being slow (by nature, or as a deliberate tactic) should not be an advantage.
2) The Dutch league (in the highest division, that is) uses time-clocks in its 50 pt matches, 50 sec, two time-outs. Works well, but there are several disadvantages. a) the clocks are very expensive, most brands are 700 / 900 euro, have never seen any under 500. b) they need to be operated by referees, using clickers. Experience has taught us, that no amateur will be able to referee and use the clickers, without some training and hours of experience. All sorts of things come into play: the use of cue-extensions, having to wait for the adjacent table, etc. If the ref forgets his clicker just once, you have an incident at the table, nobody wants that.
3) The Belgians use the chess clock, and I applaud that. a) responsibility goes back where it belongs: to the player. Wanna study a shot for three minutes? Go ahead, but you'll have to make up for it. Heated arguments about bathroom breaks, whether used for peeing or smoking, can be a thing of the past b) chess clocks cost next to nothing. c) a tournament director can plan rounds of play, knowing a match cannot last longer than x minutes.
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Nobody should find it difficult to agree with the above. It is just plain, good common sense.
 
zensteve said:
sightline,

Please put him in touch with me. We are going to need a lot of financial support for the USBA National stream in April. We do not want to charge a fee to watch the Nationals but we want a professional well produced tournament. I think all U.S. viewers deserve to watch enjoyable matches from the best in our country.
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Ok Steve, let me talk with him first cuz I might see him this saturday at the billiard hall.

Then I will let u know...
 
sightline said:
How does chess clock work exactly?? A player has to finish the match with the given amount of time??

If both players having hard time scoring the points. Time is out but the match is not done... What would happen then??
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I'd guess you add more time to the clock for a simple solution.

I'd love to see a chess clock implemented for tournaments (especially those that are streamed). Both as a player and a spectator I despise ultra-slow play. 60 seconds maximum with some time out/extensions should be all that is needed. I do not like the delay, slow-play tactic and find it annoying. That's probably why it is used, but I cannot watch some of the streamed matches that get drawn out. It's not good for the game.
 
Any Idea if the clock is going to be used at the Nationals this year? If not , when ?
 
Last edited:
Rebump for the same question.

Any Idea if the clock is going to be used at the Nationals this year? If not , when ?
 
Gilbert,

Here is how I responded earlier in this thread.
But good news is on the way! I will call you

The good news is on the way but I can't call you yet. The news will resolve many things like time clocks. I hope to have more info after this coming week. We will see how it goes. An opportunity may come our way. Whether billiard players in this country will avail themselves of this opportunity will remain to be seen.

Many billiard players in this country can be myopic and have a tendency to eat their young.
 
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