An Ode to 2 | 12

2 | 12 is a time setting in live chess where you get 2 minutes on your clock to start, and after you make each move you get 12 additional seconds added to your clock.  If the game lasts 40 moves (as many games do) then 2 | 12 is the same amount of time as 10 | 0.  The 12 is called the "increment" or "bonus time."

2 | 12, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways:

1. The game is about the position on the board, not the time on the clock.  The better position wins.  As long as you move every few seconds you will not run out of time.

2. You actually get to play endgames (getting practice with endgames) with time on the clock to think.  The endgame lasts till move 80?  No problem with 2 | 12!

3. The games are as short as 10 | 0 games.

4. If there is a drawn endgame such as rook vs. bishop, or opposite colored bishops with pawns, you play it out and eventually agree to a draw (no matter how many moves it takes).  If you play without an increment sometimes the player with more time on his clock will spam moves to win on time even though he can't win on the board.  With 2 | 12 this is not a problem.

5. Bottom line, you finish the game instead of the clock ending it halfway through!

Give 2 | 12 a try

You sir, are a gentleman and a helicopter.

Henceforth 2-12 will be my time control of choice.

sounds nice! I think I need it to be a bit slower, but if you are more accustomed to quick games then this seems like a timecontrol that encourages good play.

I think 3 | 20 would be perfect for me. I just need some time to have a look at each piece, if I dont I blunder them away.

Would be nice if chess.com would think of making such a timecontrol as a standard one. I've had many games in which I wish we couldve finished the game, even if it was me who won on time and/or behind in material.

Any delay is good for the reasons mentioned by the OP ... though if you compete on the USCF/FIDE OTB circuit, why not just use the same delay or increment (5 seconds for USCF)  to practice with? 

I think the main difference is that normally the increment gets higher when the maintime increases: 5|2, 15|10, 45|45 etc. With this system it's the other way around, and that creates short games that actually get finished.

Just played 3 | 20 and that is too long (with my first ever win against a 1400+ player, woohoo). 2 | 12 might just work out fine, even for me.