I don't think that's a good idea, as it would require Nick to implement all the ideas one after each other. This would be cumbersome to do, just to keep one at the end.
Also I think the current debate is of good enough quality to allow us to understand and imagine very well the different options, with their pros and cons, therefore I don't think trials are really necessary.

I think that the random shot is actually ok, but for the wrong reasons, for example im on a break got myself in nice position but run out of time, my opponent is then gonna get my awesome ( lol ) position, at least with random shot anything can happen

HOWEVER

i would say that the fairest solution is for the opponent to continue from where the ball lies,

now lfc_lad mentions about the ball being clustered so not taking the shot is safer than taking it, i believe this is the main flaw, but nothing we can do i suppose,

i vote for scrap the random shot.

Hello. My first ever post

I definitely vote for getting rid of random shot!! Just leave the balls where they are! Why not!?

shoot the ball straight at the nearest colour if they are on red and visa versa

if snookered then nearest pocket

if obscurred the just leave the ball there

we have enough shot time

but u know

three time today it happened the player i plays needs 1or 2 snookers and i go out of the tourne something got to be done it should let you through people do it on purpose sry if it in wrong place but it doing my head in now BADLY

i go with the 4+ point foul.

I just generly dont like the random shot, for the reason of flucks - potting or placing in a snooker.

what does my heading about that random shot time limit is it always dont work when the over players time goes and when my limit goes it flys off straight away needs 2 be sorted out i reckon cause its unfair

Nope, thats just what it seems. The information has to be sent from their computer, to the server and back to your computer.

Depending on how good their internet connection is, that could be anywhere from a few milliseconds to upwards of a minute.

While it seems they're getting longer, they get the same amount of time as you.

Leave it as it is. Its the best way to resolve it.

and you brought this thread up to say that

Because i read the threads and 80% of players make them for no reason at all.

Am just stating my feelings on the thread considering everyone wants to argue most times.

I dont think you should get a 4 point foul instead of the random shot.

I think the best idea on the time-out would for no points to be given......instead make it so control goes to the other player. They then get the choice to either place the cue ball in the d, or make the other player play again.
Gotta be a bit more professional than a white ball flying round the table at 80mph

Obviously like I think lfc lad said, this rule could be abused by letting the timer run down 3 times, but at the end of the day if people are gonna be annoying like that then you only have to play one game with them and not play again.

I vote get rid

The thing is mate, the rule what you are saying here is a pool rule( give or take afew things) this is snooker mate. I think 4 points should be given and then have a choice to either play on or give your opponent the shot again??

Like the proffesinal league, they have a shot time of 1 minute and if they go past that minute then there opponent will get 4 points and have that choice^^^

So why not change it to a snooker rule and just not a random shot(you dont see the ref hitting it around the table when there shot time runs out lol).

Edited at 14:04 Wed 28/10/09 (GMT)

What do they do in premier league snooker on SKY? Just follow that, the official rules.

random shot also sometimes pots the ball the offender wants to pot anyway and sets them up for a big break

nope

most of my randoms cause the white to go into a pocket or run into a colour. only twice has it potted a red.

yea it still happens and isnt very fair it shud be programmed not to touch any balls wotsoever