Who counts score in practice games?

[CueInAction]

Yesterday I was playing a friendly game, was in the 40s and just about to get down on a simple blue to the middle when my opponent asked me what the current break was. This completely threw me and i couldn't recall what I had scored as i was focusing fully on the balls in front of me. Subsequently I potted the blue but played a dodgy positional shot after losing my concentration. This got us into a discussion regarding who counts the current break when there is no official ref in a match, my opponent believing that a player should always know what they have scored. Personally I always found it a matter of etiquette that the player not at the table is acting ref when their opponent is at the table, therefore replacing colours & keeping score count. In my opinion if my opponent was keeping score, there should never be a situation where they are distracting me mid break to asked what I've scored. I understand we all have the odd brain lapse and may forget the score so it can arise, so there are the odd times this may happen. My personal opinion on this is that although the player at the table should try to keep a mental track of the score, sometimes in the zone you can be concentrating 100% on the shot and possibly lose track of the score, therefore as a matter of etiquette it is the responsibility of the 'acting ref' to keep count.

When playing friendly games, who keeps track of the score in your games?

[mythman69]

Yesterday I was playing a friendly game, was in the 40s and just about to get down on a simple blue to the middle when my opponent asked me what the current break was. This completely threw me and i couldn't recall what I had scored as i was focusing fully on the balls in front of me. Subsequently I potted the blue but played a dodgy positional shot after losing my concentration. This got us into a discussion regarding who counts the current break when there is no official ref in a match, my opponent believing that a player should always know what they have scored. Personally I always found it a matter of etiquette that the player not at the table is acting ref when their opponent is at the table, therefore replacing colours & keeping score count. In my opinion if my opponent was keeping score, there should never be a situation where they are distracting me mid break to asked what I've scored. I understand we all have the odd brain lapse and may forget the score so it can arise, so there are the odd times this may happen. My personal opinion on this is that although the player at the table should try to keep a mental track of the score, sometimes in the zone you can be concentrating 100% on the shot and possibly lose track of the score, therefore as a matter of etiquette it is the responsibility of the 'acting ref' to keep count.

When playing friendly games, who keeps track of the score in your games?

I always keep the score when the other player is at the table. When they sink a ball I call the break score. However my opponent doesn't always do the same.

[tedisbill]

Opponent should keep score.

[DeanH]

yep, with matches that have no non-playing person acting as ref, the non-striker acts as ref - calling the break, respotting balls, etc. at end of Turn the player coming off the table puts their break onto their own score, and then becomes the ref for the other. easy
Some recent practise partners never did call the break for my turns but they do now due to my continuing to do it for them.
I even do the rests (i.e. taking of the player and returning to the racks) when I am not at the table, it is amazing how the player likes that

[humperdingle]

Opponent should keep score.

Yep. Nothing wrong with an opponent 'acting referee', counting score, respotting colours and not clawing their crotch in the line of sight

[damienlch]

Yes, I have that happen to me a couple of times already, especially when I start stringing a few together. I tend to lose track when concentrating on what's at hand and my opponent would conveniently lose track of what I potted. Quite irritating. Although it's just a friendly game, I'd still want to know my score.

I am of the opinion that the opponent should keep track of your score as a matter of good etiquette. Well, he's certainly quick to notice it when I foul, so why would he not keep a good score?

[CueInAction]

Glad all you guys agree the same. I'm pretty sure it was used as an off putting tactic against me as I'd got myself into a good position to score heavily. Surprisingly though my opponent suggested that they have never played a game where their opponent is acting ref for them...which kind of contradicts experience as I've not once had this happen playing anyone else

[DeanH]

Glad all you guys agree the same. I'm pretty sure it was used as an off putting tactic against me as I'd got myself into a good position to score heavily. Surprisingly though my opponent suggested that they have never played a game where their opponent is acting ref for them...which kind of contradicts experience as I've not once had this happen playing anyone else

ah but you are talking to the converted on TSF here

[jrc750]

Opponent should keep score for you, and it helps if he calls it out too, as when lapse in concentration means forgetting where you are, it's amazing how you can sometimes recall the last score called out!

[t.lavery55]

Section 3 rule 19 (c) states: "When there is no referee, such as in a social game, the opposing player or side will be regarded as such for the purpose of these Rules". It was therefore your opponent's job to carry out the tasks of the referee while you were at the table, which includes counting the break score.

Also, Section 3 Rule 4 states "The non-striker shall... avoid making any movement or action that may interrupt the concentration of the striker". Your opponent therefore was in contravention of this rule when he interrupted you to ask what your break was. If you feel that the disruption was intentional, then this would constitute ungentlemanly conduct, so your opponent should be warned.

[DeanH]

Section 3 rule 19 (c) states: "When there is no referee, such as in a social game, the opposing player or side will be regarded as such for the purpose of these Rules". It was therefore your opponent's job to carry out the tasks of the referee while you were at the table, which includes counting the break score.

Also, Section 3 Rule 4 states "The non-striker shall... avoid making any movement or action that may interrupt the concentration of the striker". Your opponent therefore was in contravention of this rule when he interrupted you to ask what your break was. If you feel that the disruption was intentional, then this would constitute ungentlemanly conduct, so your opponent should be warned.

this also works for this one

Yep. Nothing wrong with an opponent 'acting referee', counting score, respotting colours and not clawing their crotch in the line of sight

[tommygunner1309]

Doesn't really matter to me what the rule book says here. I always keep score when I am making a break, and when my opponent is at the table, I keep score and call out the score after each pot. Its never changed since I started playing 30 years ago.

[alabadi]

for me the non player keeps score, calls out as he replaces the balls. although when i'm playing i keep my score myself too as i play some players who don't call out the score so i try and do it myself to keep track.