3 Foul: When to warn you oppenent!

F

Flip_dat_Quarta

Banned
Hopefully all of you already know this information but I feel the need to post it consider how often I run into players who don't fully understand the 3-foul rule in 9-ball.

In order to successfully 3 foul your opponent you must make him foul 3 times in a row however you must verbally warn your opponent that they are on 2 fouls as they are approaching the table to shoot.

More times than not, my opponent will tell me that I am on two fouls while they are at the table preparing to play a safety. This is not the correct timing and will not win you the match. Why you ask? Because you warned me at the wrong time. You have to warn me after you have played your 3rd safety and while I am approaching the table to shoot.

Some people don't see the difference or the reasoning behind the rule but there are a couple interesting scenarios that can come up:

1. I can be an a-hole after I foul a 3rd time and tell you the game goes on because you warned me at the wrong time (Obviously I would never do this but someone might)

2. Let's say you warn me that I am on 2. You then decide you are going to try the runout. You run 5-6 balls and then it's my shot. In the mean time my mind wandered and I forgot that I was on 2. I shoot at a ball and end up scratching. Since you did not warn me as I was approaching the table the game would not be over.

3. Let's say you warn me that I am on 2. You then play a safe. I go to the bathroom. I forget that I am on 2 and I foul. This would not be game over either since you warned me before I was approaching the table.

I've also ran into a hand full of people that don't realize that you can make a few balls in between 3 fouling you opponent. This is where it's important to remember the innings of the match because your opponent usually won't realize he is on two fouls when you warn him.

For example, let's say you scratch on the break. I get ball in hand and run out to the 5 ball. I play a lock up safety on the 5. You miss the kick. I get ball in hand again and make the 5 and 6 and then play another safety on the 7 ball. I turn to you as you are approaching the table and say "You're on two". A lot of times you will be in disbelief and dispute it because it doesn't feel like you are on two.

It's important to pay attention to the innings and be prepared to give your opponent the play-by-play to recount the fouls when necessary.

Sorry to everyone who had to read this who already understood rule. And thank you for understanding it! To the rest of you, smarten up and good luck!!
 
It's not my job to make you comfortable in remembering. Disagree completely. When you are on 2, and get warned according AT ANY TIME after that, it's fine.
 
OP is correct. I've seen "aggressive" players try and warn you before they play their 3rd safety.

Under BCA/WPA tournament conditions, you are to be warned as you approach the table before committing your third foul. If you are not warned at that time any foul puts you back on two fouls.
 
Flip_dat_Quarta said:
Hopefully all of you already know this information but I feel the need to post it consider how often I run into players who don't fully understand the 3-foul rule in 9-ball.

In order to successfully 3 foul your opponent you must make him foul 3 times in a row however you must verbally warn your opponent that they are on 2 fouls as they are approaching the table to shoot.

More times than not, my opponent will tell me that I am on two fouls while they are at the table preparing to play a safety. This is not the correct timing and will not win you the match. Why you ask? Because you warned me at the wrong time. You have to warn me after you have played your 3rd safety and while I am approaching the table to shoot.

Some people don't see the difference or the reasoning behind the rule but there are a couple interesting scenarios that can come up:

1. I can be an a-hole after I foul a 3rd time and tell you the game goes on because you warned me at the wrong time (Obviously I would never do this but someone might)

2. Let's say you warn me that I am on 2. You then decide you are going to try the runout. You run 5-6 balls and then it's my shot. In the mean time my mind wandered and I forgot that I was on 2. I shoot at a ball and end up scratching. Since you did not warn me as I was approaching the table the game would not be over.

3. Let's say you warn me that I am on 2. You then play a safe. I go to the bathroom. I forget that I am on 2 and I foul. This would not be game over either since you warned me before I was approaching the table.

I've also ran into a hand full of people that don't realize that you can make a few balls in between 3 fouling you opponent. This is where it's important to remember the innings of the match because your opponent usually won't realize he is on two fouls when you warn him.

For example, let's say you scratch on the break. I get ball in hand and run out to the 5 ball. I play a lock up safety on the 5. You miss the kick. I get ball in hand again and make the 5 and 6 and then play another safety on the 7 ball. I turn to you as you are approaching the table and say "You're on two". A lot of times you will be in disbelief and dispute it because it doesn't feel like you are on two.

It's important to pay attention to the innings and be prepared to give your opponent the play-by-play to recount the fouls when necessary.

Sorry to everyone who had to read this who already understood rule. And thank you for understanding it! To the rest of you, smarten up and good luck!!
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I agree 100%.....let em know as they approach the table and it is pretty much cut n dried, either make a good hit or game is over.
 
Danimal said:
OP is correct. I've seen "aggressive" players try and warn you before they play their 3rd safety.

Under BCA/WPA tournament conditions, you are to be warned as you approach the table before committing your third foul. If you are not warned at that time any foul puts you back on two fouls.
Click to expand...

I totally disagree with this rule regarding the timing of warning your opponent. As others have said here, the one who has committed the fouls is the one who should have to remember he is on two, not the other way around. You should be allowed to warn the player from any time after their 2nd foul to before they step to the table for their turn.

I remember that the WPBA at one time adjusted the rule to just that, because they understood that the responsibility of remembering should be on the shooter and not the opponent warning them. Unfortunately, I think that it was forgotten that the rule was adjusted and players went back to the original rule without realizing it had been changed.

However, I think it should be a rule that the warning must take place only between innings to avoid talking while a player is at the table.
 
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Danimal said:
OP is correct. I've seen "aggressive" players try and warn you before they play their 3rd safety.

Under BCA/WPA tournament conditions, you are to be warned as you approach the table before committing your third foul. If you are not warned at that time any foul puts you back on two fouls.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Learn something every day. I was under the impression you had to warn when they are on 2 fouls and always did it right after the 2nd one.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
I believe telling the player as they approached the table, when on 2nd foul, originated with Straight pool, when there could be a long period between innings.

Plus it is good to assign a specific moment when to inform the player, that way there is little wiggle room for the "rule book lawyers".

You can disagree with the rule as much as you like, but it's still the rule.
If you're going to win on a technicality, then you'd better get it technically right.

I generally don't care when they tell me, and will often call it on myself; unless you're being a jerk about the rules and giving me push back.
 
Remind your opponent that they are on 2 fouls on your way to the table.......or if you want to get into
their head, approach the table like you were going to play a shot....measure it from the pocket....get
into your stance and on your practice stroke turn and look at your opponent and quizzically ask....
"Wait a minute...aren't you on 2 fouls?", then walk the table again & play the best darn safety you can.

Personally, I think the 3 fouls rules is a bunch of garbage and you win the game by pocketing object balls.
 
Flip_dat_Quarta said:
Hopefully all of you already know this information but I feel the need to post it consider how often I run into players who don't fully understand the 3-foul rule in 9-ball.
...
Click to expand...
The "right" way to handle fouls is to record it on a scoreboard. Then the posted fouls constitute the warning. Sadly, pool seems to have forgotten about scoreboards. We used to have them. Back when we had referees and scorekeepers.

Given that we have moved into low-budget mode, and are trying to operate without scoreboards, I think the best way to handle 3 fouls is the way I try to do it: warn my opponent when he commits his second foul and warn him again as he comes to the table to shoot his third foul. That avoid needless "discussions" after the fact.
 
There isn't really any grey area in this. Either you inform your opponent as they are approaching the table on 2 or they aren't on 2. Doesn't matter what happened prior to this. That's when you tell them if you wan't the rule to apply and end the game with a third foul. The OP is 100% correct and it's amazing the names in this thread disputing it.

It's fine to tell them right after they commit foul #2 if you feel the need just to keep it straight to move from one to two but you better tell them again when you're done at the table or you're out of luck.

JC
 
Bob Jewett said:
The "right" way to handle fouls is to record it on a scoreboard. Then the posted fouls constitute the warning. Sadly, pool seems to have forgotten about scoreboards. We used to have them. Back when we had referees and scorekeepers.

Given that we have moved into low-budget mode, and are trying to operate without scoreboards, I think the best way to handle 3 fouls is the way I try to do it: warn my opponent when he commits his second foul and warn him again as he comes to the table to shoot his third foul. That avoid needless "discussions" after the fact.
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Makes you wonder why, in all this time, no one ever came up with "foul beads" or something like that. It could be as easy as 3 extra beads towards the outside, separated from the rest of the beads. You could even just tie a knot around a washer as a separator.

C'est la vie. I'm 42 and play in a straight pool league. I'm the youngest guy by a mile. It's probably too late for innovations at this point. :)
 
In my opinion, a smart player tells their opponent that they are on two fouls the minute they comitt the second foul (and expects an acknowledgement), then reminds them they are on two fouls when they approact the table next (and also expects an acknowledgement).

In matches without a referee, you need to look after your own interests. Not everyone (shock) is honest.

I am sure I have played players who were unfamiliar with the rules, and honestly forgot they were on two fouls, I've also played people who I believe cheat and denied that I didn't warn them.

Say it loud enough so other people around hear.
 
I'll agree with this if your playing a League...however, beyond that, I believe it's all BS.
I'm a nice guy, I'll tell my opponent he's on 2, and I expect the same. as to WHEN I tell him...anytime between committing the 2nd foul and him getting down on the shot for 3rd foul.
Likewise, when I'm in a "strange" money game or decent tourney...dont bother asking me if I "made a good shot", "did you call that pocket" or "What are you/am I? solids or stripes"? It is not my job - or my concern - if you can't pay attention to the game at hand.
 
Rulemakers make rules. Many rules are made simply to avoid controversy.

Ohh, waddia know, here's a controversy. Somebody wake up a rule maker.
 
3andstop said:
Rulemakers make rules. Many rules are made simply to avoid controversy.

Ohh, waddia know, here's a controversy. Somebody wake up a rule maker.
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It's already been addressed in the rules, and it's very specific. You have a duty to warn when your opponent is approaching the table. If you don't, there's no third foul penalty and it's like you're still on 2 fouls.
 
Danimal said:
OP is correct. I've seen "aggressive" players try and warn you before they play their 3rd safety.

Under BCA/WPA tournament conditions, you are to be warned as you approach the table before committing your third foul. If you are not warned at that time any foul puts you back on two fouls.
Click to expand...

Learning still even after 45 years in the game.
Thank you.
Myron
 
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