ONEFORSEVEN Talking 'Points'
ONEFORSEVEN has already got people talking, which is a good thing!
Opinion counts and while we respect the natural scepticism of the traditionalists, we think you will be surprised at how untouched the actual game is.
Sure we might play around a bit with the presentation and style of events, relax the atmosphere in which the games are played but if you're good at snooker, chances are you will be good at ONEFORSEVEN.
We have listened and here try to give the official response to some of the concerns...
It's not snooker if it’s not silent!
Who says? The players haven’t told us that.
We have researched this and almost all of the players we spoke to, practice every day in a club environment where there are people moving about all the time.
OK, so some clubs you go in are completely silent, but that’s not a good thing trust us!
21-minutes
Initial reactions have proved this to create the biggest question mark. Players don’t like the thought of being under pressure to play at a quickened pace. But I don’t like the thought of missing my train or the end of the match that I have paid to watch when they get involved in 60-minute frames.
Research has shown that the 21-minutes does not put them under unfair pressure. The average frame time in 2009 world championship was 18 minutes and 29 seconds and that is playing for a world title!!!
Shot Clock
No need for one.
If a player uses delaying tactics he will need to use them on all four tables.
A player is not just playing against their direct opponent, they are competing against the other six players too.
The only way to win ONEFORSEVEN is to score, score, score.
Ball-in hand
Steve Davis (he knows a thing or two about the game) was pretty vocal on this subject a few years ago. “Bring in the nine-ball rule to certain events” is what he said. So we have!
Following any foul, the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
All it does is ensure the continual flow of play, essential when the clock is ticking.
Foul and…no miss!
The miss rule has been littered with controversy over its interpretation since it was brought into the rules on the late 80s early 90s. So, we have just taken it out. To quote a friend of mine…"simples".
What about safety?
Safety will be a key part of the game, but it will need to be good.
Laying a good snooker, could open up the opportunity to win the frame, but long bouts of safety will probably not be a feature and leave you lagging behind the rest of the field!
Gimmicks
ONEFORSEVEN will attract criticism from the snooker purists and we’re sure that the ‘G’ word will be used.
If entertaining innovations that fill in the natural pauses in play or slight changes in the appearance and presentation of an event are classed as gimmicks then ONEFORSEVEN is guilty as charged!
However, ONEFORSEVEN has been developed by snooker purists, who have never swayed from the belief that the essence of the game must be kept in tact. So, 15 reds (even if they’re not always red!!!), six colours with six pockets remains.
World Record
ONEFORSEVEN is a point based format within a controlled environment of 7 frames, therefore performances will be compared from tournament to tournament. World records provide massive talking points in other sports and will be a benchmark that helps to keep standards improving!
Personal Best
OK, so you’re not Usain Bolt, but you would still try to run the hundred in the fastest time that you are capable of. ONEFORSEVEN will make PB a recognised snooker term!
Slow-play
OK, so you are 50 points in front of me and you think by slowing the game down and stopping me from scoring is gaining an advantage. But don’t forget that the other six are scoring like mad on the other tables and overtaking you.
Points Swing
No matter how far in front a player might be, significant points swings can occur in any one frame. ONEFORSEVEN is designed to encourage scoring, so defend at your peril.
Frame v Points
Paul Norris raises a good point...
"I do have to question the fact that Pagett won overall and yet lost 3 out of 4 frames. This needs revising as if this is possible then 4 out of 4 losses is also possible and that just makes a mockery of whatever 'new game' your inventing. The 'loser' cannot be the 'winner' in any sport, and nor should they be in this one".
This was actually considered at length in the design of ONEFORSEVEN.
Paul says that no sport will survive where a competitor loses yet wins overall, however there are plenty of examples of this, here just a few to consider...
Traditional Snooker - A player can score less points yet win more frames
Tennis - A player can lose more games yet win more sets
World Championship Darts - can lose more legs yet win more sets
Matchplay Golf - A player can shoot the worse score yet win more holes
In all instances Paul's example would make the 'loser' technically the 'winner'.
However, the outcome of sport depends on the premium unit of worth in any given game.
ONEFORSEVEN'S premium unit is 'points' and therefore overides the number of frames won or lost.
This is one of the unique ingredients which gives ONEFORESEVEN its identity.
