Remove the random shot completely and the shot clock with it.

No issues then.

That's one solution and not a bad idea.

The problem with that is that games will never end. Since we're therefore stuck with a timer, why don't we do what all other games of snooker with a timer do- pass the shot over in case of a time foul!

Plus, using the argument of "letting the computer take the shots" is just stupid. Come on, its highly unlikely a ball is potted after the clock has elapsed and you know it! If it did happen all the time I would be angry also, but the fact is it just doesn't. Your not stupid enough to let that happen anyway. It just sounds to me, from the way you are writing, that you feel overly cheesed off that it has happened to yourselves.

I'm not sure you understand how it works?
How can I prevent it from happening? When the opponent fails to take a shot, the random comes in.

It's happened to me several times that the opponent gains an advantage by not taking a shot, last time at least 6 months back I would say.

I'm just wondering why you wouldn't want to change something when it can easily be done (we have it in place already in power snooker). The only one who actually thinks the random computer shot is a good idea is spinner.

Errrm it is likely to happen. How many times does somebody smash a break in arcade and a red goes in? Its the exact same thing. And 'Your not stupid enough to let that happen anyway' What are you on about????

Sorry m_wood, I see absolutely no correlation between potting a ball from a break-off shot (which all us players know we can do quite easily on arcade and do it to our advantage) and the random shot clock elapsing..are you suggesting that potting a ball off the break is a 'fluke'? Blimey, there must be 353586393 flukes a day! Thats why players play Arcade, becuase it is so easy and UN-REALISTIC hahahah

My comment about "Your not stupid enough to let it happen".

I obviously wasn't referring to when an opponent does it, but using it to query the argument around just "letting the computer do it anyway", to pot reds. It's really not that common..

I do know how funky works

Come on ladies.

That topic has nothing to do with flukes or anything else. Its just about a third force interacting in the game which only should be by the players themselves.

The random shot is totally stupid!!!

When penetrating the shot time limit its nothing else than a foul!

In my opinion, I just think the random shot strikes a balance between not leaning towards strict, serious rules which would potentially put off the casual player (which is the majority), whilst 9 times out of 10 rewarding the serious player (seemingly like yourself) with a foul or opportunity for a high break.

You think that the random shot is what keeps players on this site lol?

To be honest I would really feel bad if I get opportunities for high breaks due to a advantageous random shot.

Exactly! It makes the game a bit of a farce by taking all the skill involved in splitting the pack out of it.

So dont come with flukes or bad connections or casual players.

The random shot has to be thrown away and a foul has to be given!!

No, but obviously, if you make the rules more serious, surely you change the feel of the website. Common sense lol. Its similar to the free ball argument. Young kids who come here probably don't even know what it means!

Furthermore, notice how I said "serious rules". Note the "s" after "rule". Its just being cautious around the aims of the site.

Edited at 16:30 Fri 25/05/12 (BST)

Completely agree and 'free ball' and 'foul and miss' won't be implemented.

But a computer taking a random shot instead of what happens in real snooker? We're already using the proposed system for power snooker, so I hardly think it will make the site "more serious".

Perhaps you're right mate. Maybe we will only ever know if Nick makes a decision. My choice:

1) Leave it as it is.
2) Call it a foul from position cue ball is if an alternative is considered needed.

If I am on a break of say 85 and for some reason I get a bad lag and cant take my shot, time out and fluke on the random, I am not going to complain. Ever.
Numerous times I have lined up my shot and for whatever reason, when I push forward the shot doesnt take and I have to release the mouse and re-line it up. I have been on big breaks when this has happened and not been able to tap in a simple red over a pocket and suffered a random. An unmissable shot! I would not feel any remorse had the random shot potted the red for me or any other red on the table for that matter.

thats you though, i feel worse if i fluke than opponent (if by random or not), id rather the opponent fluke than myself, i get annoyed when i fluke and when it happens multiple times in succession i just feel like potting the white out of frustration.

Fluking is not the issue. Having the computer pot for you is the issue!

I only wish I could share your outlook dgen