Truly Standardized Billiard Rules
4/13/2008 2:17:40 AM
Truly Standardized Billiard Rules
I have been thinking (that's when I'm dangerous) about all the rules that are in place in billiards around the world.
I would think that if there were standardized rules in the USA and Canada life would be more pleasant and one would not have to worry about bar rules every time he/she played in different places. I believe it would make for a much more relaxed atmosphere not having to be concerned about that.
Any opinions on the subject?
This question relates to the following billiard rules:
Truly Standardized Billiard Rules
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 4/13/2008 8:11:29 AMStandards are a topic that I'm pretty passionate about, especially being a web developer. There is nothing more that I'd like to see than world standards for various billiard games.
Many organizations have attempted to develop "world standardized" billiard rules. The BCA for one, has done a decent job thus far, considering the gravity of the project, and the difficulty in getting all of the world's organizations on board, so to speak. That said, though, there are still many billiard organizations out there who subscribe to rule sets different from those of the BCA or the WPA.
An independent, non-profit, world-organization, such as the WPA, needs to take the lead. By "lead" I mean a proactive lead. A world consortium should be developed (by the wpa) where all major cue sport organizations can come together and hammer out the differences. Really clarify all of the points of contention. On the board of this consortium should be a myriad of elected members who have the insight to ensure that every detail is documented, so that there aren't ten million clarification questions posted all over the internet.
Rules should not be such a mystery. We've come a long way in the past, say, 20 years, but there is much ground to be made up in order to consolidate and clarify the fragmented sets of "standardized rules" out there.
treehumper on 4/13/2008 8:32:37 AMWhy can't we all just get along......
It would be truly Utopian if this were ever to come about. Then the WPA could take over the UN and show them how to achieve concord. Even if at the upper echelons there was agreement, at the local level it would be difficult to make the transition. This would take years. As for bar rules, forget it. That's the good ole boys' "round here" rule book that was passed down to them by their pappy and their granpappy before 'em!
- billiardsforum on 4/13/2008 8:41:15 AM
Haha, yeah. I wasn't saying it's going to happen; it was more like the best case scenario. I mean look at basketball or hockey. It is played all over the world, at all levels, and regardless of your skill level, country of origin, league, upbringing, or whatever, you just KNOW what the rules are. They are the same everywhere.
Yes, people make up their own versions of the game for fun, just like you would see in bars or whatever with billiards, but in competition, you just KNOW the rules. Two teams who don't even speak each other's language can safely come together and play a game of ice hockey and not worry about clarifying the rules before hand. That would be ideal. Possible though? Probably not given the current state of the top cue sport associations at the moment. (they all seem more self-involved, rather than looking out for the "health and wellness of cue sports")
- treehumper on 4/13/2008 8:54:45 AM
Actually, hockey is played by a different set of rules internationally then professionally. Look at the ice surface size difference to start. NHLers have to adapt to the nuances of those rule changes. At the junior level there are again variances that deal with equipment and hitting that once a player moves up change again.
If players were clamouring for consistency in the rules then it would motivate the associations to get it together.
- billiardsforum on 4/13/2008 8:59:23 AM
But wait, I thought players were clamoring for consistency? Even if they aren't doing it directly, I'll bet if they were surveyed, they would all say that they are. I'm getting ideas now...
- treehumper on 4/13/2008 9:06:08 AM
Start a petition! Submit it to the various bodies with a caption like, "We fed up and not going to take it anymore!"
While people agree that there should be standard rules the problem and disagreement arises when they try to achieve those standard rules. Who is going to be willing to capitulate? Then there is the issue of what plays better on TV? Rules are changing to reflect that which makes the game a bigger draw on the box to generate more viewers thus more revenue.
The rules are a moving target....
quickshot on 4/13/2008 10:38:45 AMMy thinkig was that it could be started here in the US and Canada and then maybe spread to the rest of the billiard society when they see how well it worked. Although, it would take years to implement, especially on the bar circuit.
Truly Standardized Billiard Rules
- Title: Truly Standardized Billiard Rules
- Author: quickshot (Jim Walsh)
- Published: 4/13/2008 2:17:40 AM
