The main problem is that where some like them and some dont, there is still a skill to doing them.

Losing to a golden break however requires no skill in the slightest but the problem is you're not even allowed to try! because of this lack of gameplay you feel a little hard done by when you lose 3 rating for not even playing.

What I propose is that the winner still gets their rating, in full, but the loser gets a reduced amount of rating deducted.

Similar to edge modification or newbie reductions, there could be a 50% reduction in the point deduction.

Reasons for this are it still encourages players to attempt it, the loser doesn't feel so hard done by, helps to stop weaker players knocking stronger players down the ratings so that it creates an unfair advantage of these playing other high ranked players for future games.

Having this will, over time, increase the ratings of UK players and this in turn will get rid of the 850 rated 'sitters' on the top 50.

2 problems solved in one

Agree or disagree below please but keep it constructive if u dont like what i'm sayin

agree totally

I'm sorry squeezy, but there is no more skill in getting a golden break than there is in potting the white straight into a pocket.

However, i accept that some people seem to like getting golden breaks on thier stats, so why not simply change it to a re-rack, with two shots to the opponent (or a ball in hand, depending on the game).

That way, the golden break addicts still get thier stats (thus keeping the Funky in the Pool!) but it doesn't interfere with the rankings of the pool players.

Given that anywhere else pool is played, potting the black on a break is a straight loss, i think a re-rack as if it was a foul is extremely generous...

I beg to differ, if there was no skill in it then people would have many more of them. Getting one through an alternative method (you know the standard one) requires a top class shot..or a lot of luck and I feel that the users who manage this should be rewarded.

By reward i mean rating + as this is what they want mostly from a ranked game, if they only wanted a golden break then they would have played a friendly. Wanting both is just greedy

But making it a re-rack doen't take the ranking reward away since they can still carry on and win the game if they want.

That way they still get thier ranking, thier Golden Break stat, but no-one can feel cheated so everyone is happy!

how about +5 points for a GB and the loser stays the same rank

If it aint broken, dont fix it! And thats all i can say!

Edited at 11:53 Thu 14/09/06 (BST)

squeezy first suggestion sounds good

trouble is 1eye - it isn't broken, but it is a bit damaged. Players who've developed a single smack of the white to perfection are on the same ranking points as ppl with much better all round skills.

And those more skillful players don't even get given the chance to use them when a GB'er simply smacks the black in first shot.

I've given this example before - but the top GB'ers on here have over 200 Golden Breaks. Even taking a low average points gain, they will have gained 400 points through one-hit games! If you take away all their GB points, and leave them with only the ranking points gained from normal play - u'd turn a virtuoso into a 500 ranked player!

I like the idea squeezy, and as a compromise it'd be fine, but I'd still like to see GB's made a re-rack with no points involved, and the break given to the other player myself.

Edited at 12:39 Thu 14/09/06 (BST)

Well explained Martin.

There really is no argument for a Golden Break earning rank, since it is already recorded as a statistic on its own.

I agree with the first post.

I say a 50% reduction in both the winner's rank gain and the loser's rank loss, because a golden break takes a lot less skill than winning a game properly.

Also, I'd just like to say that nick probably would change this if it wasn't for the outcry he'd get from people who don't want to play the game as it should be played. It would be great if it was changed, but I don't expect it to.

Edited at 17:31 Sat 16/09/06 (BST)

i don't think it should be removed from the game, but maybe they win without gaining any points.think it would be unfair to change the golden break rule, but the no points gained is a good idea

I dont think getting no points for doing it is fair but a reduction in the amount you win is a fair compromise. Or have a set number. +2.5 for doing it and the loser gets -1, regardless of the ratings of the players.

Another issue regarding it which I'm not sure has been mentioned, wins and losses, is it fair on the loser that they get a loss without taking a shot? This also applies to Run Outs. All things being fair that shouldn't be added too. This is the only reason that makes me think the 're-rack' idea would work better than my solution.

Although the points loss is annoying, its the loss that I don't want. I'd rather lose 10 rating and not get the loss on the profile. I want 76% win ratio an golden breaks aren't helping lol

Edited at 02:19 Sun 17/09/06 (BST)

I'm sorry squeezy, but there is no more skill in getting a golden break than there is in potting the white straight into a pocket.

So how come you dont have one spinner?

Because i'd be embarrased to have one! Its that simple!

Having a golden break is simply an indication that you would rather get a cheap and nasty win than actually earn your stats.

Sure, they happen accidentally and thats fine, but given that i've been playing for around 4 years and its never happened shows how regular they should be...

lol spinner. i done 1 in my 4th game of 9 ball and 14th of UK on this account. i am not at all embarrased

so how come you dont have one spinner?

Because i'd be embarrased to have one! Its that simple!

You say it happens accidentaly so can a touch of luck be controlled for your embarrasment. Was that a sarcastic comment or the wrong answer?

Cheap and nasty are hardly a way to describe it. After all, luck is part of the game and being lucky or unlucky in this sense is beyond the players control. Most people would be proud of their golden breaks.

Having a golden break is simply an indication that you would rather get a cheap and nasty win than actually earn your stats

I have 1 golden break, does that make me a cheat? Have a look at my stats for yourself then tell me the above sentence again.

Edited at 12:22 Tue 19/09/06 (BST)