Fouls on ALL BALLS!

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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It's time the USA got in step with the rest of the world! "Cue Ball fouls only" is outdated and no longer in the best interest of the game. The way the game is played everywhere else is "Fouls on all balls," and I am convinced it's the best way to play the game. This cuts out all the disputes about whether a moved ball did or did not affect a shot. If you touch it, you've fouled!

I would like to see this rule applied to object balls that are touched by your hand or arm, the cue, the bridge or any other piece of playing equipment. I don't think this rule should apply to hair or a shirt sleeve touching an object ball. "Cue Ball fouls only" has caused nothing but problems over the years and could be done away with quite easily. We have always played fouls on all balls in Straight Pool tourneys, and that's the way it should be. JMHO as always.
 
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All ball fouls. I agree. I don't remember when they slipped thye "QB foul only" in on us? Johnnyt
 
Jay, I concur. Being from a snooker background I think that ANY contact, shirt, hair whatever is a foul. You should NOT be able to touch a ball at all with anything. Other than the cue ball with the tip of your cue. Anything else makes the game sloppy JMO.
 
All ball fouls can be a bit ridiculous, too.

I've seen a player lose an innning because his bowtie fell off and hit an object ball. I've also seen a player lose an inning when one of his cufflinks came off and landed on an object ball.

I don't think this is about being a purist at all. Penalizing reversible pre-shot events that are clearly recognized as having no bearing on the upcoming shot's outcome, in my view, adds a random element to the results that can and should be avoided.

An example from golf is when a player tees up the golf ball and accidentally knocks it off, leaving it inches from its starting position, before intending to play the shot. Even in competition, he/she is permitted to place it back on the tee without penalty. Perhaps a purist would say that knocking the ball off the tee is a shot, but the rule makes sense.

I'm fine with all ball fouls for balls moved during the execution of a shot, but don't think pre-shot infractions should be similarly penalized.
 
It's time the USA got in step with the rest of the world! "Cue Ball fouls only" is outdated and no longer in the best interest of the game. The way the game is played everywhere else is "Fouls on all balls," and I am convinced it's the best way to play the game. This cuts out all the disputes about whether a moved ball did or did not affect a shot. If you touch it, you've fouled!

I would like to see this rule applied to object balls that are touched by your hand or arm, the cue, the bridge or any other piece of playing equipment. I don't think this rule should apply to hair or a shirt sleeve touching an object ball. "Cue Ball fouls only" has caused nothing but problems over the years and could be done away with quite easily. We have always played fouls on all balls in Straight Pool tourneys, and that's the way it should be. JMHO as always.

yes but in the ipt the all ball rule i think sucked.
if you hit a ball with your shirt you need a ref for every match.
 
I completely agree with an all balls foul rule.
 
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I'm glad you added that shirts, hair, etc. should be excluded from this rule. That always seemed silly to me. Those of us who have an extra 20 pounds on their frame don't always want to wear skin-tight clothing to the pool hall just to avoid a foul or two.

april25-30102.jpg

"Hey guys, I'm ready to hit the pool hall!"

--->P.S. It should be noted that the above photo is not me. I'd never leave the keys in the door like that.
 
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If pool is ever going anywhere there SHOULD be a ref for every match. Johnnyt

That would be ideal but in some of the larger events like DCC, there is simply way too many going on to have one for every match. All ball fouls are cool if they include only when stroking the ball, but I can see where that can lead to some debates...
 
I personally like the rule fouls on all balls. When I lived in NY we played every game like this besides 9 ball. When I came to AZ it was if you moved 2 or more balls and cue ball fouls only which I think suck. I do think that if someones shirt touches a ball it should not be a foul because then if your playing a ref will need to be called to your matches more often because of it. I have seen a few guts move balls around too. :grin-square:
 
Hi Jay,

We've been playing "all ball fouls" on the Joss Tour for years. The only exemption Mike Z. allows is, if you touch a ball BEFORE you stroke the cue, you may tell your opponent. It is up to him if he wants the ball returned to the original spot. He must replace it. Once the cue is stroked for a shot and the tip touches the cue ball, if your hand, shirt, cue butt, bridge, anything touches (not moves) a ball, it's a foul. Mike says it's a gentlemans game. If he catches you intentionally refusing to turn the cue ball over, don't plan on playing any additional Joss events. Seems to work well.

Lyn
 
But then my secret technique of moving balls off the rail with my gut while leaning over the table to take another shot would be in jeopardy!
 
It's time the USA got in step with the rest of the world! "Cue Ball fouls only" is outdated and no longer in the best interest of the game. The way the game is played everywhere else is "Fouls on all balls," and I am convinced it's the best way to play the game. This cuts out all the disputes about whether a moved ball did or did not affect a shot. If you touch it, you've fouled!

I would like to see this rule applied to object balls that are touched by your hand or arm, the cue, the bridge or any other piece of playing equipment. I don't think this rule should apply to hair or a shirt sleeve touching an object ball. "Cue Ball fouls only" has caused nothing but problems over the years and could be done away with quite easily. We have always played fouls on all balls in Straight Pool tourneys, and that's the way it should be. JMHO as always.

This is ridiculous! It's hard enough not to foul on the cue ball when I have been drinking (playing pool)! I will have to quit the game!:eek:
 
very bad proposal.It causes more arguments & parking lot fights.
When a person leans forward and stretches on the table for a long shot he will not know when his shirt touches the balls.He will not know it because he does not feel it.He does not feel it because his shirt is not connected to his brain with the nerves.So when his opponent tells him that he fouled he is not going to agree with that claim.

Another scenario: you are sitting in the designated chair usually on the head string side of the table.Your opponent leans forward on the table and his fat tummy grazes on the balls and you can`t see any thing and the player is not going to self incriminate self by saying 'my tummy touched the balls'.
if one wants to have this rule one needs referee for evey match.
The rule is a bad idea.
 
All Ball Fouls and a REFEREE... is a must

I agree with 'all ball fouls'

But not with the current players. Their mindset may be too solid to adhere to these rules.

IMO we start with the special tournaments and every players needs to know the rules to be able to referee a match.

Maybe if the players played for points and points can be awarded for the players that ref matches.

New School Pool.. yes Refs and All ball fouls.

If you rule it they will come... IMO
 
I have seen a few guts move balls around too. :grin-square:

Speaking as a guys whose gut has moved a few balls around, I'm gonna have to disagree with this all ball foul thing. The world is biased enough against fat people! :thumbup:

Chris
 
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