8-ball 3 Foul Rule

[NaClBandit]

I play in an 8-ball league at my local pool room (not APA or TAP). We play with what I think is the standard set of rules: ball-in-hand after fouls (behind headstring if on break), combo on 1st shot of game if necessary, etc.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is why there isn't a 3 foul rule incorporated?

8-ball is often a highly defensive game (probably more so than 9-ball), yet there is no score reward for good safety play - aside from the racks that become run outs as a result.

Say your opponent has the 8-ball hanging in the corner pocket and your ball is right next to it so that he can't hit the ball and you can't bank yours. What is stopping him from taking intentional fouls until you move your ball? Does this not seem unfair?

What does everyone think? Does anybody play with a 3 foul rule? If so I commend you! Is this addressed in pro tournaments?

 

[poolboy17]

I play in an 8-ball league at my local pool room (not APA or TAP). We play with what I think is the standard set of rules: ball-in-hand after fouls (behind headstring if on break), combo on 1st shot of game if necessary, etc.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is why there isn't a 3 foul rule incorporated?

8-ball is often a highly defensive game (probably more so than 9-ball), yet there is no score reward for good safety play - aside from the racks that become run outs as a result.

Say your opponent has the 8-ball hanging in the corner pocket and your ball is right next to it so that he can't hit the ball and you can't bank yours. What is stopping him from taking intentional fouls until you move your ball? Does this not seem unfair?

What does everyone think? Does anybody play with a 3 foul rule? If so I commend you! Is this addressed in pro tournaments?

It's probably because it would be much easier to get three consecutive fouls in 8 ball. If you give a good player ball in hand after every foul...you may lose a match and never get a real shot.

Say your opponent has the 8-ball hanging in the corner pocket and your ball is right next to it so that he can't hit the ball and you can't bank yours. What is stopping him from taking intentional fouls until you move your ball? Does this not seem unfair?

Well, if you end up in this situation...why should one player have a rule advantage over the other? You don't have to move your ball either. There are stalemate rules to cover this.

The rules are written with the intent of players shooting shots..

 

[NaClBandit]

It's probably because it would be much easier to get three consecutive fouls in 8 ball. If you give a good player ball in hand after every foul...you may lose a match and never get a real shot.

The game should be decided by the players shooting shots.

Not necessarily because there are so many more balls to kick at.

Or make it a 4 foul rule...just something to eliminate this loophole.

 

[breakup]

It's probably because it would be much easier to get three consecutive fouls in 8 ball. If you give a good player ball in hand after every foul...you may lose a match and never get a real shot.

That is an excellent point I have often wondered why the three foul rule does not apply to 8 ball but I can see if someone runs 7 and the other person has most of their balls left trying to 3 foul your opponent might become a standard option. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing but it would definitely change the completion of the game.

 

[poolboy17]

Not necessarily because there are so many more balls to kick at.

Or make it a 4 foul rule...just something to eliminate this loophole.

That's kind of the crux of the problem. Yes, there are more balls to hit BUT there are also more balls to hide you too.

I guess I don't see it as a loop hole. I've played for over twenty years and have rarely seen a situation like this. I have refereed national and state tournaments for years and have only seen one stalemate game in all that time. Most of the time...there are tactical moves for either player to eventually win this game.

 

[cueman]

There is a three foul rule in many 8 ball rulles. It is 3 fouls in a row by each player is considered draw and the balls are re-racked and the game played over. The balls laying bad would allow too many easy games if three fouls were a loss. The ball behind the 8 is a good example of a game that can't be won by either party. Instead of giving it to the last one to foul, the 3 foul equals re-rack makes much more sense.
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com