Playing walker666 today and in all honesty we had the greates games i have played in a long time, But one game the black was hanging on pocket and a ball from each player was touching black, and talking to walker in this situation we thought that maybe in situations like these then you could offer your opponent a re rack and the re rack only happens should both players agree.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

sounds like a brilliant idea

Sounds great m8

cant spot a flaw....

I've been in this situation so many times and I think this is the best idea I have heard in a while, Nice idea mate

Reracks for stalemate situations have been mentioned many times, and i think they are a good idea, however what you describe isnt really a stalemate as the end of the game is still down to skill.

As spinner says discussed several times before (I'm sure madmike could pull up the links). However true stalemates cannot be won by skill - that's why they are called stalemates.

From memory I think some people were just outright opposed to a re-rack button (cant think why) whilst others thought it would be abused (presumably on the basis that a particularly awkward person might just refuse the re-rack and settle for a double DQ).

From the scenario you describe it sounds like neither player could play a proper shot and stalemate had been reached. The difficulty is obviously getting the computer to recognise this situation. My solution seemed simple enough. If each player has 3 (or 4 or 5 or 6 or however many) consecutive foul shots the game automatically re-racks.

Edited at 17:55 Sat 11/10/08 (BST)

I see your point but for a while it was just fouling purposely potting white until we found a way out which took a while, but yes in stalemate situations.

this sounds like a gr8 idea apart from some n00bs lol

Good idea

I don't like it...for the simple reason that the button wouldn't be used that much. I haven't ever gotten into a situation where someone couldn't win. Maybe I just don't have the skill to put someone in that situation however.

Whether or not it would be used much is really irrelevant as long as both players have to consent before it reracks.

I don't like it either, but for a bit different reason: The game is not over and players shouldn't have the choice of abandoning a difficult situation - even when both agree.

I've yet to ever see a table where it is 100% impossible to get out of it.

I take it you never watch snooker on TV then - happens often that games are re-racked - the reason being that it doesnt rely on one player having to take the ridiculously suicidal shot to clear the situation.

This is something that would be a benefit if introduced properly, particularly in timed tournament games to reach a fair conclusion without someone having to sacrifice themselves to move the game forward, but by no means an essential.

This isn't snooker

insightful

to be fair this isn't pool either but nevermind

Stalemate

If the referee observes that no progress is being made towards a conclusion, he will announce his decision, and each player will have three more turns at the table. Then, if the referee determines that there is still no progress, he will declare a stalemate. If both players agree, they may accept the stalemate without taking their three additional turns. The procedure for a stalemate is specified under the rules for each game.

as stated above it would be a nice addition and, if nothing else, would reward someone who is skillful enough to force a stalemate from a position of certain defeat.

Yeah I agree that a re-rack option would be good for the reason highlighted above. I think david sylvian described a situation on a similar thread, that if you were on uk pool and the black is hanging over the pocket with a red touching it in such a way that the guy on black can't get round it, both players would just play away giving 2 visits, which would be pointless. I think that if there is 3 consecutive fouls each, again as chris suggested, on 8 ball pool, then the game would be called a stalemate and the game would restart. I don't think this option would be abused either - and I agree, hardly used.

Oh and mich those games were indeed good, I don't think you missed did you?

Oh im not sure was on fire lol but the uk8 when you have 2 visits and are on black in situation you described you can knock the red onto the black if you have 2 shot carry!

Edited at 21:22 Mon 13/10/08 (BST)

can you really, nice one i'll have to remember that

Yeah haha not many people knew that! however if im lying its nialls fault

Someone needs to try that to find out for certain - at 4-4 in a marathon tourny final would seem like the ideal time

Im sure its true and ive done it before but as i said if im lying its nialls fault!