What I know is you have commenced your "initial" month of membership behaving obnoxiously.......Nuf Ced!
Time limit for games like in chess.
- Thread starter Poolplayer2016
- Start date
Proceed ignorantly.
It sounds as if slow players might disrupt the flow of YOUR game and you don't like it. I don't know how long you have been playing nor the level of your competition but it is just something that has to be dealt with. It used to bother me to no end but I made my adjustments and learned to not let it bother me. Some guys lay their cue against the wall when you are down on the money ball as if they are preparing to rack. That can bother some people too. If you let these things bother you, even if they a form of sharking, it can make for a very frustrating match.
Poolplayer2016
Banned
It only affects me by having weekly tournaments take over 3 hours...I don't bother going anymore because of it...and also because playing hacks does nothing for my game.
What part of the country do you play in and on what type of tables if I may ask.
Poolplayer2016
Banned
Vancouver, 4 1/2 x 9 pos.
As has been pointed out in previous threads on this topic -- search "chess clock" -- we have used chess clocks in two 14.1 leagues in this area. That started after a match to 40/120 took three and a half hours.
Further, chess clocks are standard in some billiard leagues in Europe.
I'm surprised the chess player who posted earlier didn't mention the grace period that modern chess clocks have (or can be programmed to have) at the start of each turn. That allows even long one pocket games to be played fairly.
This very issue was discussed before the tournament and it was clearly stated that if there was a sign of a excessive slow play from any player towards running out the clock then referee would issue a warning to such player and may even disqualify such player. No such problem had to be solved, everybody understood that message very good :wink:
Okay so what is being proposed here very simply, is an electronic version of an hour glass, which is turned over after you have played your shot. The sand drops down until your opponent tips the hourglass back over again.
I was a reasonable chess player once so I know what I am talking about here, when I say that blitz chess (1 to 5 minute games) is absolutely fine as a social thing but it terms of producing games of high quality, it is never going to be the same as a game played over classical time controls. Some great games have been played but not many.
So in terms of pool this is being condensed further. If a player is sharking, you get a TD over to address the issue. First and foremost though it is up to YOU to be able to prepare for any sharking that may occur. If someone really is taking 2-3 minutes a shot (which I find farfetched – it may feel like 2-3 minutes but is not that long) they can only be sharking themselves as well as you. Take it as a compliment. Better yet, don’t assume that they are sharking. I have learning difficulties and sometimes I take longer than someone else may do just to make sure in my head that my calculations are right.
If they take 2-3 minutes on the final 9 and it’s straight in yes that is blatant.
There are a lot more problems in pool than trying to create gimmicks to wipe out the few people that spoilt it for everyone else. That is what TD’s are for, to help the event run smooth. If your game takes longer, it takes longer. Play to your pace. If you are required to be sped up, you will be told. If not…that is down to a TD’s poor decision making.
I was a reasonable chess player once so I know what I am talking about here, when I say that blitz chess (1 to 5 minute games) is absolutely fine as a social thing but it terms of producing games of high quality, it is never going to be the same as a game played over classical time controls. Some great games have been played but not many.
So in terms of pool this is being condensed further. If a player is sharking, you get a TD over to address the issue. First and foremost though it is up to YOU to be able to prepare for any sharking that may occur. If someone really is taking 2-3 minutes a shot (which I find farfetched – it may feel like 2-3 minutes but is not that long) they can only be sharking themselves as well as you. Take it as a compliment. Better yet, don’t assume that they are sharking. I have learning difficulties and sometimes I take longer than someone else may do just to make sure in my head that my calculations are right.
If they take 2-3 minutes on the final 9 and it’s straight in yes that is blatant.
There are a lot more problems in pool than trying to create gimmicks to wipe out the few people that spoilt it for everyone else. That is what TD’s are for, to help the event run smooth. If your game takes longer, it takes longer. Play to your pace. If you are required to be sped up, you will be told. If not…that is down to a TD’s poor decision making.
TDs don't deal with the problem. "Why are you picking on me? He's as slow as I am. Do you have bets on him?" They don't want to answer questions like that.
The clock gives them a simple, impartial way to deal with it. If either player or the TD requests it, the match in on the clock.
Hi Bob, I guess you have a point. Although the referees at GB9 Tour (England) are very fair to both players if there is ever a dispute. I agree that the clock is impartial and should be used at the first opportunity of any dispute.
I recently got a new chess/game clock and I like it a lot better than the previous two brands I've used for pool. It has lots of features and very low battery usage. One of the modes (#20) allows you to program the grace period I mention above. It remembers the settings for the next time you use it. It also counts the number of turns which is useful to track averages at such games as straight pool and carom billiards.
The clock is DGT "North American" and it cost about $40 including shipping. Here is a video review that shows how it operates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkhGeUlNgsY
I would agree with a post above that says if there is a problem with a player(s) and a shot clock is request it should be used.
I would suggest it is for both players the remainder of the match (to keep it fair for that match). After that match, the clock follows the offending player(s) the rest of the tournament or you could try to give them one grace match and if they are still slow you put them on it for the remainder of the tournament.
I was in one a few years ago there was one guy that slowed the entire leg down so much that I was in the semi's waiting about 2 hours for him to eventually get there. I instantly asked for a clock to be put on him. For some reason they waited until after our first game to come over and say something. They averaged his shots from the first game and the fastest one was around a minute with a few taking about 2. Luckily I swept him 4-0, but that still took much longer than it needed to because of that first match. My opponent in the finals had been there for almost 3 hours waiting at this point. It was flat out ridiculous and I am a very patient person.
I would suggest it is for both players the remainder of the match (to keep it fair for that match). After that match, the clock follows the offending player(s) the rest of the tournament or you could try to give them one grace match and if they are still slow you put them on it for the remainder of the tournament.
I was in one a few years ago there was one guy that slowed the entire leg down so much that I was in the semi's waiting about 2 hours for him to eventually get there. I instantly asked for a clock to be put on him. For some reason they waited until after our first game to come over and say something. They averaged his shots from the first game and the fastest one was around a minute with a few taking about 2. Luckily I swept him 4-0, but that still took much longer than it needed to because of that first match. My opponent in the finals had been there for almost 3 hours waiting at this point. It was flat out ridiculous and I am a very patient person.
I think a shot clock is stupid idea.
Pool is pool, it isnt chess, it isnt a video game.
I like watching and playing one-pocket, several folks comparing it to watching paint drying, but IMO, it is the most interesting and creative game in pool.
Watching "speed pool" makes me cringe.
Ken
Pool is pool, it isnt chess, it isnt a video game.
I like watching and playing one-pocket, several folks comparing it to watching paint drying, but IMO, it is the most interesting and creative game in pool.
Watching "speed pool" makes me cringe.
Ken
In a tourney I can see it however the Fisher Spassky took over a month to play ,, getting the best of the best can not be hurried ,, no way , do I want to see second class one pocket for big cheese , adapt to the surroundings and conquer is what warriors do
1
I don't really understand the chess timer approach - if there's a long game, you're going to try to squeeze in your last 10 shots in 15 seconds?
There are several pool timer apps available for phones, that act more like familiar pool shot clocks. You can set the time available (e.g., 30 sec. or 60 sec.), when the warning happens (e.g., 10 sec. prior), what the warning sounds like, etc.
There are several pool timer apps available for phones, that act more like familiar pool shot clocks. You can set the time available (e.g., 30 sec. or 60 sec.), when the warning happens (e.g., 10 sec. prior), what the warning sounds like, etc.
The chess clock does not require staff. You can take as long as you want on a very complex shot provided that your average time is OK.
As for the "long game" problem, the "grace period" mentioned above takes care of that except for snails, and the snails deserve what they get.
If you're matching up, you can choose not to play the snails if they are intolerable. In a tournament you don't have a choice. An alternative is to simply ban the slow players from tournaments. That's maybe the best solution.
straightdraw65
Banned
I agree with you.