I say increase it to at least 1 minute maybe 2!

Just lost a game on Random shots because i had to go move my car and it auto started i was only away 1 min at the most and this is one of my reasons to either increase it or jus make it an option for all game types even private... But hey thats just my opinion i might be the first person to lose because of random shots du to the auto start...

So you got off your backside then went out side... to move your car, then moved it to where you wanted it to be, then got the keys out then went back inside then shut the door then sat your backside back on your chair in 1 minute, wow are you superman by any chance?

In other words the auto start is fine as it is and cant wait to see it on snooker

Edited at 20:43 Wed 30/07/08 (BST)

with me being on a laptop sitting by the door i was able to get up and get my car off the drive and come back in yes

Still 3-4 mins max

Max meaning the highest possible so maybe in one aspect your right, minimum time to do it could be about 45 seconds

Nearly happened to me there after a game, so I can see mmt's point.

i reckon i could do it in 10 minutes

I know what we need... a button that, when pressed, moves that player into a state of watching rather then playing. In this way the game won't autostart, and space becomes available for a new player.

NICK!!!!

Good call, cloone

You can already do that in 2 clicks if you really want to

Lets not forget, we've gone back to auto-starting (now the issues that caused it to be removed have been resolved) to prevent people loitering in games without playing.

Sure seems to be working

Edited at 00:24 Thu 31/07/08 (BST)

Haha fantastic idea clooneman. I woke up at 7am this morning with the same thought, already added!

clooneman- will you marry me

xx

lol

thats a nice touch...as spinner pointed out you can already do that but a dedicated button will make it a lot easier/simpler/quicker/user friendly (especially for newbies who may have had no idea how to watch a game before)

Just a thought, if this button occurs in private room games, it could be used as a feature for winner stays on games especially if you want it to be just you and your mates, you could make it that when one player clicks the button to stop playong the option appears to the other players to start playing this creating a fair winner stays on and you wont be interfered by unwanted players!

sounds good to me m8

And maybe an option to choose how long YOU the game owner wants the auto start to be like, the same as we do with the shot timer!

damee suggested that before- nick said there was no point as then the newbie could still be sat in the room not knowing whats going on

Auto start is a great thing

In my not at all humble opinion, the people who complain because they have had games auto start on them just demonstrate the need for this feature.

If you can't or choose not to be at the computer and pay attention to the game, leave the game room or accept the risk that the game might start without you being present.

Auto start could be set as low as 10 sec for all I care. The only downside to that would be a very limited time to run the "fake newbie" check on opponents you don't know.

why cant you sit in a room you created and answer the door/phone/move car/go toilet/talk to someone in realworld/browse the forum/

its a fun online game....not real pool.....if someone isnt in the room or doesnt play ya then move on

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. In poker, for example, you have simple methods to stand and watch or sit and play. Adding the option to sit will complete this ability. I also want to show clearly at the top whether you're playing, watching or waiting.



Not really just that my actual reply was "Unfortunately it would not solve the problem as the owner may be away causing many people to wait."



This cuts both ways - it's just a fun online game so don't worry if you automatically have to play someone.