Discussion: what the shot clock's place in snooker?
The shot clock: quite possibly the most controversial aspect of any snooker format out there.
As we all know, the shot-clock has been used in snooker's Premier League for quite a few seasons. It originally started out as a 25-second clock, encouraged by Sky to keep matches from over-running and playing havoc with their schedules, but it's countdown siren was also intended as a method of interacting with the crowds in attendance.
The clock has since been reduced to 20 seconds, and has been used in both Power Snooker and the Shootout. I hated Power Snooker, but loved the Shootout, as I think was the case with a sizeable number of snooker fans.
Here's where I stand: I don't like the shot clock. I think it hinders most players' ability to pick the right shot to play, and diminishes safety play in particular. Very often it can lead to rushed shots that make the games look a little amateurish at times.
However, I also wouldn't exactly wake up in cold sweats if one ranking event under a shot clock was introduced. It's not an issue that I feel needs addressing or anything, but for the sake of variety I don't think it would be a disaster should it happen. Whether it will happen or not is another question, I think qualifiers have to run with multiple tables, and multiple sirens could be, well, pretty bloody annoying.
I also think that a shot clock ranker would perhaps be better off with lower ranking points than your average ranker. But with around 80,000 points on offer each season and so many events out there, I really don't think that ONE shot clock ranking event would be of any harm. I'm all for variety on tour.
Perhaps some feel that a top-class invitational would be more worthy? Some may feel that this just isn't snooker as it gives some players such as O'Sullivan and Trump a major advantage over, say, Rory McLeod or Peter Ebdon. But then again, we have an open draw tournament that could very well be very cruel to one player but work in another's favour, whereas most draws are designed to be more even.
Anyway, I think this could be an interesting discussion, but keep it civil and stick to the point
As we all know, the shot-clock has been used in snooker's Premier League for quite a few seasons. It originally started out as a 25-second clock, encouraged by Sky to keep matches from over-running and playing havoc with their schedules, but it's countdown siren was also intended as a method of interacting with the crowds in attendance.
The clock has since been reduced to 20 seconds, and has been used in both Power Snooker and the Shootout. I hated Power Snooker, but loved the Shootout, as I think was the case with a sizeable number of snooker fans.
Here's where I stand: I don't like the shot clock. I think it hinders most players' ability to pick the right shot to play, and diminishes safety play in particular. Very often it can lead to rushed shots that make the games look a little amateurish at times.
However, I also wouldn't exactly wake up in cold sweats if one ranking event under a shot clock was introduced. It's not an issue that I feel needs addressing or anything, but for the sake of variety I don't think it would be a disaster should it happen. Whether it will happen or not is another question, I think qualifiers have to run with multiple tables, and multiple sirens could be, well, pretty bloody annoying.
I also think that a shot clock ranker would perhaps be better off with lower ranking points than your average ranker. But with around 80,000 points on offer each season and so many events out there, I really don't think that ONE shot clock ranking event would be of any harm. I'm all for variety on tour.
Perhaps some feel that a top-class invitational would be more worthy? Some may feel that this just isn't snooker as it gives some players such as O'Sullivan and Trump a major advantage over, say, Rory McLeod or Peter Ebdon. But then again, we have an open draw tournament that could very well be very cruel to one player but work in another's favour, whereas most draws are designed to be more even.
Anyway, I think this could be an interesting discussion, but keep it civil and stick to the point

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Tubberlad - Posts: 5009
- Joined: 02 October 2009
- Location: Ireland
- Snooker Idol: Ronnie OSullivan
- Highest Break: 49