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Post by BB Warrior on Feb 5, 2012 18:24:16 GMT
There has been much discussion recently about starting a new National Off the Spot Competition, together with certain posts stating that we should all be playing under the same Rules rather than having certain variations that seem to exist between the AEBBA Rules, County Rules and local Rules within Leagues.
This got me thinking.... rather than introducing a new competition, would it not be better to play ALL of the AEBBA Competitions and/or County Opens under an "Off the Spot" Format?
After all, the Internationals and World Championships are played under this format and, in my personal opinion, "Off the Spot" does provide a different challenge to the standard game and generally involves a wider range of shots during the course of a match.
I don't know if this has been discussed here before but would be would be interested to hear the thoughts of others. ;)
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Post by barbelman on Feb 5, 2012 19:10:21 GMT
There has been much discussion recently about starting a new National Off the Spot Competition, together with certain posts stating that we should all be playing under the same Rules rather than having certain variations that seem to exist between the AEBBA Rules, County Rules and local Rules within Leagues. This got me thinking.... rather than introducing a new competition, would it not be better to play ALL of the AEBBA Competitions and/or County Opens under an "Off the Spot" Format? After all, the Internationals and World Championships are played under this format and, in my personal opinion, "Off the Spot" does provide a different challenge to the standard game and generally involves a wider range of shots during the course of a match. I don't know if this has been discussed here before but would be would be interested to hear the thoughts of others. ;) Hi Dave Absolutely not! ;) I think it would be the death of many Opens and AEBBA competitions as I believe the majority of players in this country (i.e. ordinary league players) prefer it the way it is. It is only a small percentage of players who take part in Opens etc. as it is and this would be another nail in the coffin and possibly contributing further to their decline. The only reason Internationals were played OTS was as a sop to the Channel Islands teams to make the games more competitive. The Jersey Open ;D and the Guernsey Open are OTS and that's quite right - that's how they play. On the mainland we play off the 'D' and always have done, and to play OTS in major comps and off the 'D' in local leagues would create a rift between the two that would discourage the "cannon fodder" that competitions are so dependant on (and I include myself in that category), from entering AEBBA comps and Opens. I'm all for constructive change in Bar Billiards but IMHO this would be a step too far. cheers Tony |
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Post by Sir Chancelot on Feb 5, 2012 19:25:13 GMT
There has been much discussion recently about starting a new National Off the Spot Competition, together with certain posts stating that we should all be playing under the same Rules rather than having certain variations that seem to exist between the AEBBA Rules, County Rules and local Rules within Leagues. This got me thinking.... rather than introducing a new competition, would it not be better to play ALL of the AEBBA Competitions and/or County Opens under an "Off the Spot" Format? After all, the Internationals and World Championships are played under this format and, in my personal opinion, "Off the Spot" does provide a different challenge to the standard game and generally involves a wider range of shots during the course of a match. I don't know if this has been discussed here before but would be would be interested to hear the thoughts of others. ;) Don't get me started.... ::) I agree with Dave. Play the game as it was intended to be played when it was invented ;D Nine Hole Snooker None of this getting the ball behind the 10 pocket by means of a direct shot ! If a table is set up correctly, all shots are possible. What do you think the cushions are there for Tony ? If you have been brought up using all of the D, I feel sorry for you, as you have not developed the skills you could have learnt. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2012 19:40:13 GMT
Although a believer in 'standardization' I don't think we're ever going to get it in our game, as there are too many variants.
We recently asked the newly-formed Norwich League why they didn't take up the more widespread 3-Pin instead of their chosen 4-Pin and the answer came back that our game was "too easy and too boring as a frame could be won with one single good break". Presumably they think the same about 3-Pin off-the-spot.
So unless we're responding to that and working towards eventually adopting 4-Pin rules, i can't see any merit in changing at all. Participation in Jersey and Guernsey under their rules goes with the turf and personally it's always a relief to get back to normal once back on terra firma, and "vive la difference."
As Tony hints, the effects of changing Opens to off-the-spot would be counter-productive as only the true diehards would then bother to enter. So it's a no from me.
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Post by barbelman on Feb 5, 2012 21:25:42 GMT
What do you think the cushions are there for Tony ? If you have been brought up using all of the D, I feel sorry for you, as you have not developed the skills you could have learnt. Thanks for your concern Norman ;D but after playing for 45 years and having learned my skills in some of the most competitive leagues in the country, I feel my skills are as good as they're gonna get given my obvious limited capacity ;D ;D If you actually think about it, there are far more angles to be learned in using the whole D either directly or off the cushion (i.e. an infinite number) rather than the relatively restricted number using just the spot... cheers Tony |
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Post by The Chubbster™ on Feb 12, 2012 10:55:02 GMT
I've voted no, but I must admit it's a reluctant no.
I say that because I think off the spot requires more skill and leads to better games where the better player will win more often. Those things should in an ideal world be encouraged.
However, the point has been made here that it would be too big a chance, and risk rocking the boat a little too much, and with that I agree.
So it's a no from me, but I understand why the question was asked.
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Post by milhouse on Feb 12, 2012 11:27:10 GMT
I've voted no, but I must admit it's a reluctant no. I say that because I think off the spot requires more skill and leads to better games where the better player will win more often. Those things should in an ideal world be encouraged. However, the point has been made here that it would be too big a chance, and risk rocking the boat a little too much, and with that I agree. So it's a no from me, but I understand why the question was asked. Thats only the case until you have a ball behind/in front of the 10 pocket and each person then has multiple shots trying to get them back! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2012 14:18:55 GMT
Its a No from me. My reason for this is i just hate off the spot and its not the game as i know it.
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Post by bigtj on Feb 12, 2012 14:35:37 GMT
I enjoy off the spot but as I believe all matches are played not off the spot in England, surely the Opens should follow that format. Do think it is good to have some off the spot competitions, as agree skillful game, but these should be separate from the normal opens.
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David.G
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Post by David.G on Feb 12, 2012 17:43:16 GMT
It would be such a shame if all opens were off the spot. It is a vastly more difficult skill to master when playing this format. Off the spot is for the top players to show their highly honed skill to those lesser mortals.
I dont see any benefit to the improvement of our game by using this format for all competitions. I would certainly appose any changes to the current format
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enzo
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Post by enzo on Mar 2, 2012 12:19:14 GMT
Not a fan either, I like off the spot don't get me wrong but not every comp
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Post by Chris on Mar 12, 2012 21:36:22 GMT
We vote yes... enjoy a challenge :o :)
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oge
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Post by oge on Mar 13, 2012 9:32:02 GMT
I believe off the spot makes the game more difficult for the better players. Instead of just adjusting the cue ball to make the split easier they would have to adjust their game. I believe the reason Barbilliards is falling in numbers is because new players get hammered by the better players all the time. They therefore are reluctant to continue. By making the game more difficult it would reduce the scores and make the games tighter and more interesting.
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