Threesomes!

[stoichen]

Does anyone know if there is any specific rules for playing snooker with three players?

I often play with my Dad and my Uncle at their watering hole where there is only one table. I know it would probably make more sense to have a couple of normal games but we usually only get two or three frames so its more fun if we can all join in.

Here's the problem, I play a good safety, my Uncle leaves something on, my Dad reaps the rewards. Just wondering if anyone had a good way of getting around this situation.

Cheers!

Stu

[twiglet]

don't think there are any ways around the problem.
i know that you only have a few frames and other members may want to use the table.

we only play singles when there are 3 players and we don't play winner stays on. everyone plays two frames and then comes off-regardless of how well you play.

I know its not an ideal solution in your case, but its surely better than playing three handed snooker?

[Sonny]

whenever I play a 3 hand I don't play safety

[stoichen]

whenever I play a 3 hand I don't play safety

Yeah that makes sense but sometimes there really is no other alternative.
I suppose a 3 hand game is all about attempting the crazy pots (oh and plenty of beer and a good laugh!).
I was just wondering if there was any official rules relating to 3 handed snooker.

we only play singles when there are 3 players and we don't play winner stays on. everyone plays two frames and then comes off-regardless of how well you play.

None of us would want to risk sitting out in case the club gets busy and we end up not getting a game at all. I play elsewhere with my friends and play normal frames without problem or argument but trying to get my Dad or Uncle to go anywhere else is hopeless.

Thanks for your replies guys.

Stu

[Sonny]

Y
I suppose a 3 hand game is all about attempting the crazy pots (oh and plenty of beer and a good laugh!).

got it in one. As far as playing the game of snooker and not a variation goes, I can't see how it's possible to modify the rules to make it a 3 player game.

[twiglet]

I agree, i cannot think of a way in which a competitive game can be made from 3 handed snooker. i think the best way is to carry on what your doing and just enjoy the game if its aa bit of light hearted fun your after, however if your want to improve your game, 3 handed snooker is probably the worse senario for making progress.

[stoichen]

Yeah, that's what I keep saying to my Dad but he will never go anywhere else.
My game has been improving (very slowly but steadily) as a result of games with my pals at another club. This is proved by the regular three handed hammerings that I dish out! lol

[taz147]

We used to play for three handed for $1 (40pence UK) a point ($8, every red/blk). Where the person who left the points had to pay the player who made the pts.. It made for a great game. Lots of good safetys and when a player went for a difficult pot and missed leaving a ball on he would usually be expensively punished.

[jrchan]

I dun know abt the rule in ur ctry, however, in Singapore, this is the way we play if there are more than 2 players.

For example, there are 3 ppl, X, Y and Z. After X is Y, and after Y is Z. Under normal situation, the way they play is same as 2 person snooker. However, if X snooked Y, then after Y will be X again, and after X is Y and after Y is Z.... We play this way, coz its X who make the effort to snooked Y, not Z. If X potted a red and didnt have any easy color and there is a red at the pocket. In order to prevent Y from scoring, X snooked Y. Hence if Y didnt hit the red, the advantage should go to X, not Z. Sound complicated, rite?

By the way, did your ctry play "Number Ball"? Its play on the snooker table with fifteen number ball and one set of Poker cards. In Singapore, its call "Number Ball", and 14 and 15 are call "Bonus Ball". Its place at the top cushion and buttom cushion, touching the cushion. Its a Gambler game. But just interested to know if only Singapore had suh game.

[reverse_side]

Sonny's bang on, I play loads of three handers - don't play safe unless there's no pot on whatsoever, even then there's still a chance to make an improbable pot.

If you wanna gamble, i like the idea by taz147.

We also like playing a game for cash called scrubs where 6 or more players can have a game at the same time on the same table - really good on a knockout competition day when you're managing the Club's all-dayer and there's a load of your mates thinking of leaving. SOD THAT, get the round in and play the game.

In our 3-handers, the 'fouler' gives the other 2 the foul points, we play off half handicaps and the two highest scorers play singles after and we rotate until we play a safeway frame; 3 for 2, 3 play and the 2 highest play the final, or if we've time by playing quickly, 3 for 2 for 2, highet play a semi for the loser to play the winner in the Final.

We also used to play a pie frame YEARS ago, when I first started playing, the two highest play each other while the loser goes off up the road to the newsagents that has a hot pie counter and buys the pies for dinner; only ever had to do it once!!!! meat m potato pies with pepper inside from brookes in winsofrd was CRACKING!!!!! and the steward let us scoff thm in the club - geezer.
LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC LFC

[stoichen]

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting suggestions.
I actually managed to come up with a way to make a three-handed game more interesting. Suppose it would depend on your standard of playing but we found that it makes for a better game if the player in third place is forced to withdraw at a predetermined stage. Say after 10 reds or when the game reaches the colours. This then allows safety play and snookers to become a factor in those close run final stages of a frame.

[Mash-Up]

if you only play a few frames... toss a coin to decide who plays on their own first and treat the game like a double vs a single, change about after each frame and you all get a turn of playing a single game.

[dcon]

3 handed games are always a bit of a wierd one... especially when scoreboards only accomodate two players!! out comes the mobile

having not tried it before, i like the idea of a two verses one option, though i would imagine the single player would have it easier, being able to get their cue rhythm going a lot faster by having double the amount of table time.

rules we adopt;

all fouls - both opponents are awarded points (ie 4 or more each) turns as normal after foul(s). Player with lowest score is knocked out if insurmountable from available balls compared to highest scorer, snookers required rule is removed. this seems to keep frames tight and quick, however;

having chance to think about this and read others interpretation, i may request we change it so that;

Fouls generated by snookers are awarded only to the player that created the snooker, allowing for snookers required, which is reinstated. Fouls generated by self-inflinction, unforced errors etc. awards foul points to opponents.

this to me sounds a bit more balanced for all players concerned.

[Mash-Up]

the single player is always going to have an advantage, as he/she will be playing every shot instead of leaving their partner in.

this evens itself out as each player has a turn on their own, but if this is still a problem you could use a handicap system where the player on his own gives the other two a start.

the start would depend on how good or bad the playeres are.