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Let's let the clocks out

Posted By: Colin Owen
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 4:29 p.m.

In Response To: Let's let the clocks out (Tom Keith)

In reply to your points:

1) You say it's best if everyone competes by the same rules and conditions. On that basis either all players should use a baffle box or none. No one (or everyone) should play the 'On Chequer Rule'. Indeed, players should not be allowed to agree to use a clock unless everyone else is.

Players have individual preferences so, in order to maximise attendance, it makes sense to accommodate them where possible.

2) Of course directors and their staff would prefer not to have to keep an eye on matches. But enforcing clocks, at the start, on players who don't want to use them may mean that they have fewer players attending their events in the first place. (If a very slow player chooses not to enter as a result, then fine. He might not be missed.)

If clocks are not mandatory, and the staff don't monitor matches sufficiently, or fail to apply clocks when needed, this could also deter players, of course. Staff still need some awareness even with clocked matches, due to the impact of excessive breaks.

3) I'm fully with you on the advantages on one set of dice - you missed out about reducing the impact of biased dice, or indeed merely the suspicion of them. But you don't need a clock to obtain most of those benefits (though using a dummy clock to end the turn is useful).

By 'tailgating' you presumably mean a player rolling too early, perhaps pressuring the opponent into picking up the dice? You still get this theme with clocks. I make it a point to not even put my hand over the board until my opponent has actually ended his turn, let alone near the dice. I would love it if players reciprocated, but early reaching and even early picking is common. On at least three occasions with different players my hand has been physically blocked (by them) from reaching for the clock after making a play, and on other occasions I have realised I overlooked a play before hitting the clock, only to find the dice already in their hand.

It is very possible to make a play, reach towards the clock then, at the last moment apprehend that we may have overlooked something. If the opponent has their hand on the dice, or is even near them then, in that second or half second before hitting the clock it will pressure many players into actually doing it, and completing their turn. Tailgating still happens, and generally goes unpunished. In fact, is it even illegal to early reach (without actually touching the dice)?

Messages In This Thread

• Let's let the clocks out
  Jonah Seewald -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 4:12 p.m.
  • Let's let the clocks out
    neilkaz -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 4:48 p.m.
  • Let's let the clocks out
    Jason Lee -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 4:48 p.m.
    • Let's let the clocks out
      Barry Silliman -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 4:56 p.m.
      • Let's let the clocks out
        Barry Silliman -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 5:01 p.m.
  • Let's let the clocks out
    AP -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 5:50 p.m.
    • clock setting tutorial needed
      garyo -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 3:48 a.m.
      • clock setting tutorial needed
        Stick -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 4:10 a.m.
        • clock setting tutorial needed
          Bob Koca -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 6:44 a.m.
          • clock setting tutorial needed
            Chuck Bower -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 2:37 p.m.
            • clock setting tutorial needed
              Bob Koca -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 4:07 p.m.
        • clock setting tutorial needed
          garyo -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 2:11 p.m.
        • clock setting tutorial needed
          Jason Lee -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 2:30 p.m.
        • clock setting tutorial needed
          Phil Simborg -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 4:48 p.m.
    • Let's let the clocks out
      Kevin Finch -- Wednesday, 4 March 2015, at 7:07 p.m.
      • Let's let the clocks out
        Colin Owen -- Wednesday, 4 March 2015, at 7:51 p.m.
        • Let's let the clocks out
          Tom Keith -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 2:43 p.m.
          • Let's let the clocks out
            Colin Owen -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 4:29 p.m.
            • Let's let the clocks out
              Barry Silliman -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 4:54 p.m.
              • Let's let the clocks out
                Colin Owen -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 5:24 p.m.
                • Let's let the clocks out
                  Barry Silliman -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 6:15 p.m.
                  • Let's let the clocks out
                    Colin Owen -- Friday, 6 March 2015, at 3:58 a.m.
            • Let's let the clocks out
              Bob Koca -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 8:05 p.m.
              • Let's let the clocks out
                Colin Owen -- Friday, 6 March 2015, at 2:58 a.m.
        • Let's let the clocks out
          Stick -- Thursday, 5 March 2015, at 5:38 p.m.
  • Let's let the clocks out
    RealNick -- Thursday, 26 February 2015, at 8:03 p.m.
  • About time partner!
    Phil simborg -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 12:28 a.m.
    • About time partner!
      Bob Koca -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 3:36 a.m.
      • About time partner!
        Phil Simborg -- Friday, 27 February 2015, at 5:46 a.m.