An Expectation of Impartiality
Handicapping in most sports and games is the assigning of an advantage through scoring adjustments to give all competitors a fair chance of winning. A handicap is a certain number of points that a player is allowed to put on his score before play commences or to put it another way it is a head start given by the more skilful to the less skilful; the better the player the lower the handicap. It means that very good players can take on good players and both can take on journeymen players and still get a competitive game.
Due to the nature of snooker, a game which can be played competitively into old age, we are unlikely to have a group of retired elders on whom to rely for the administration of our local league. This work must, of necessity be carried out by people who are still active playing members. This may cause concern when the awarding and adjusting of handicaps is carried out by one’s fellow competitors.
It follows therefore that as far as is possible all adjustments should be:
Sport puts its faith in mathematics to calculate its ranking and handicapping systems; after all mathematics is precise, logical and objective; it deals only in facts, uncoloured by feelings or opinions. Snooker is a game where plenty of points are available and it therefore lends itself readily to handicapping. But first we must be clear that we are talking about two different things:
A system that does not achieve these goals is not fit for purpose.
The scheduling of league fixtures and cup games should be in the hands of a sub-committee that organises public draws witnessed by members. No more secrecy, fair play must not only be done it must be seen to be done!
Due to the nature of snooker, a game which can be played competitively into old age, we are unlikely to have a group of retired elders on whom to rely for the administration of our local league. This work must, of necessity be carried out by people who are still active playing members. This may cause concern when the awarding and adjusting of handicaps is carried out by one’s fellow competitors.
It follows therefore that as far as is possible all adjustments should be:
- Determined by a formula, based on the competitors’ playing records.
- That this formula should be as accurate and up to date as possible.
- That it should be understood and agreed by the membership at large.
- That every effort should be made to avoid adjustments based on people’s opinions.
Sport puts its faith in mathematics to calculate its ranking and handicapping systems; after all mathematics is precise, logical and objective; it deals only in facts, uncoloured by feelings or opinions. Snooker is a game where plenty of points are available and it therefore lends itself readily to handicapping. But first we must be clear that we are talking about two different things:
- The initial or starting handicap which a player uses to play his or her first game.
- Adjustments to that handicap as the playing season progresses. This where a formula must be used.
- If a player has won half of his frames and lost half of his frames (50/50) he should not be subject to handicap adjustment.
- Players with the same playing record, that is where frames played, won and lost and where the win percentages are identical should be subject to the same handicap adjustment.
A system that does not achieve these goals is not fit for purpose.
The scheduling of league fixtures and cup games should be in the hands of a sub-committee that organises public draws witnessed by members. No more secrecy, fair play must not only be done it must be seen to be done!