Always start by counting then snapping, I once saw maximum points awarded to peas without any open. To award max points in my opinion every pod would need to be open to make sure the peas were perfect..
Totally agree Laurie
I have been NAS'd for not counting.
I remember once I was showing at our Chrysant society show because I did not count how many stems I had in the vase.
It was a five stem class and as a rule I used to take 6 or7 stems with me in case one or more did not travel well.
That year I was a bit short of time and I set up my vase as I usually do but silly me I didn't notice I had put 6 stems in the vase hence the NAS.
The main reason I liked the '5' class with anything was if something didn't travel well or was damaged I could always enter the 3 classes.
I was even known to enter the 'single' class for the same reason.
What I didn't like though was if the winner of the 'Best in Show' was from a single class.
With only one item it meant it could be as near perfect as you can get but with a three or five vase you never get them all perfect, very good Yes! but not as perfect as the single item,
IMHO this is very unfair but it usually states in the rules; " Best exhibit in show" and as it is an exhibit it is entitled to be considered for the ultimate prize.
Ah! those were the days!