Is it Wrong to 3 Foul?

Is it wrong to 3 foul an opponent?

  • No,i would 3 foul anyone in a tournament,cash,or other.

    Votes: 182 91.0%

  • Yes,its a chicken $hit way to win.

    Votes: 7 3.5%

  • Wouldn't do it to a friend.

    Votes: 11 5.5%
  • Total voters
    200
jimmymac said:
However if you are not good enough to get after two ball in hands then you should put your cue up. I know that most avid players to not agree with me.
Click to expand...

Often if the risk associated with trying to run out is very high you are better off attempting to 3 foul your opponent. One of my favorite times is when my opponent scratches off the break (there's one) and leaves a lot of tight clusters or difficult balls on the rails.

I think that many players who prefer offense are simply lacking in those skills needed to try 3-fouling an opponent. They don't have the speed control nor do they have the imagination and/or repetoir to play several lock-up safeties in a row.

Dave
 
I checked the chicken $hit option. However if there is serious money, like over $20 involved, it is a different matter. :D

Anybody else remember before this rule was common when two guys could push back and forth for hours? Maybe not that long but the only option was to take the shot you were left with or give it back. First guy to screw up on his safety would generally lose. Not very exciting for the spectators.
 
supergreenman said:
They used to have a 3 foul rule in 8 ball....
Click to expand...
Yes, under BCA rules from 1980 to 1985 the 3-foul rule was in force. At the same time, there was an optional "BIH anywhere" rule. I'm surprised it lasted that long.

There was a 3-foul rule in the IPT tournaments. Very few games ended on three fouls.
 
I'm not big on defense unless my options are limited....I like to play aggressive :D ...... I wouldn't do it to a friend, and think it's somewhat chickensheit to be completely honest....

Granted it's mostly perception....defensive guys can always say that those who don't like defensive options don't have the knowledge and control to play good safeties, and the offensive guys can say that those who would consider a 3 foul do so because they don't have the ability and talent to run out......

Ultimately, with enough money on the line, it's a viable option for anyone :D
 
Not too sure if this was mentioned or not but, it is a real messed up feeling to lose when you could have won by using the rules to your advantage. That was a good and legal win. Glad you were not intimidated into playing soft by an immature friend.

If you two have been friends for a while, you already new how he is. Shame on him if he can afford to lose friends based on a pool game. I wonder how he would react if his two week old relationship with a girl was interrupted by her wrongfully accusing you of coming on to her.

Choose your friends wisely.

Gene
 
3 foul rule made sense in the days when you could push out any time, but it doesn't belong in a "ball in hand on any foul" game. Thats too much advantage to the shooter.
 
Noone here in the Bay Area plays with the 3 foul rule when gambling. It usually ends up making the game a little slower. It's not that hard to 3 foul an average kicking opponent if you plan for the safeties ahead of time and play position with the object ball.
 
jimmymac said:
I started playing pool, total offence. I have learned over the years that safety's are a big and important part of the game. However if you are not good enough to get after two ball in hands then you should put your cue up. I know that most avid players to not agree with me. I feel when you 3 foul someone you are doing it more to humiliate them instead of just beating them. Maybe that's why some people choose to do that, they don't have enough confidence to get out. They would rather rub it your face, very sportsman like. With that being said I'm sure there are situation out there that you may have a play serveral safety's in a game. All in a row???????? THAT"S YOUR CHOICE
Click to expand...

TAP TAP TAP..I will say this..not that it caused me to not go as far in this weekend's Richmond VA. City tournament..but I got very very very frustrated with a match and ended up loosing that match which knocked me out of the tournament. I played a player who knows me and has played me several times and who i can beat with ease..but I scratched on the break giving him ball in hand ...now the table wasnt a horrible layout..i could have run out from the one but i knew he couldnt..but he played a dead nuts safety on me..not leaving me an optioin to kick or jump at the 2 ball..well i tried to kick at it but fouled ..the one still layed in a position for him to use ball in hand to litterly give me the same shot back..this time a bit tougher because of my earlier kick shot..but with ball in hand he could have easily gotten on the 2 ball..so i tried to kick again..but to no avail..he informed me that it was my 2nd foul..i was three games up on him to 1 but i he three fouled me and made it 2 2 ..i was so flustered that he didnt want to take the chance of running out because when he did the first three matches i made him pay for it by running out...but i allowed my emotions to get the best of me. I except the 3 foul rule but i dont like it..most people use it as an excuse to not run out..it is not like making a combo if the combo is dead nuts..or a high percentage combo..but i guess if you can execute the 3 foul rule with high percentage you can claim the same thing..oh well..i think back and what i should have done was knock the one away from the rail so he couldnt tuck behind it..now that would have been good thinking but i was to heated to see it. Lesson learned..never again will i get angry over some one trying to three foul me okay buddy hall time to teach me the diamond system heheh
 
The three foul rule is the most ignrant and idiotic rule in the history of pool. What the hell does taking ball in hand and hooking a guy three times have to do with deciding who the best player is? Whoever invented that rule has no class and no clue.
 
Frankenstroke said:
3 foul rule made sense in the days when you could push out any time, but it doesn't belong in a "ball in hand on any foul" game. Thats too much advantage to the shooter.
Click to expand...

Never even heard of the three foul rule 'til the bih anywhere on any foul rules started. In push out, bih was on any two fouls in a row. No loss of game.
 
I'd be curious how the answers would change if the question were, "Should the 3-foul rule exist in 9-ball?" Given the fact that it is part of the rules, I generally don't have a problem with 3-fouling someone, nor with someone trying to 3-foul me. However, if I had the ability to make the rules, I'd probably want to remove the 3-foul rule from the game.
 
> The three foul rule is the most ignrant and idiotic rule in the history of pool.

I think that if you look at more of the rules, you will find some that top 3-fouls. I think snooker provides some good examples as well.

> What the hell does taking ball in hand and hooking a guy three times have
> to do with deciding who the best player is? Whoever invented that rule has
> no class and no clue.

I'm not certain who first came up with the rule, but I think that Texas Express Promotions first tested and promoted it, and the people who ran TE had quite a bit of experience. I think the main goal was to speed up the game to make tournaments more manageable. Have you ever played two-shot shoot-out?

I would agree that the 3-foul rule is very awkward when a strong player is playing a weak player who has no hope to hit the ball on from any decent hook.
 
I saw Kim Davenport 3-foul Karen Corr at the IPT Orlando event. Karen smiled and said, "Well played."

I was 3-fouled last weekend at the Fast Eddie's event here in Houston. I said, "Well played."

It's part of the game. I'd do it to anyone and any of my friends would do it to me. No big deal.

To the original poster, you ought to print this thread and show your friend what the majority says. He's wrong to be upset at you.:)
 
At a local tournament, the TD instituted a rule -- B+ and higher players cannot 3-foul B or lower players. Seemed like a fair compromise.

When strong players try for a 3-foul (against other strong players) it usually results in some exciting kick shots. It's not at all easy to 3-foul a strong player.

I think that people especially hate being 3-fouled because in a way, you're not just beating them, you're giving them an active part in manufacturing their own loss of game ;)
 
That's the first time I've heard of handicapping the three foul rule and it sounds like a good idea to me. Three fouling a girl 7 times in a row (no offense ladies, odds are just better she doesn't play as much as the guys) does seem weak.

I love to do it to people I don't like though. :D

There is an extra sting to a loss by three fouls for most people I know. For people who also think they can play three cushion, its almost humiliating to flail at three kicks in a row when you're supposed to be an expert at using the rails.

For money games, open tournements, or even friends who are practising seriously (for a big tourney coming up,etc...) I think they're better off three fouling and short racking than letting up on their opponent.

If they can't kick, tell them to play some three cushion for awhile until the chances of them missing three straight kicks is a lot lower.
 
three foul ! game! set! match!

i don't gamble(i do donate calcutta/entry fees!). i don't have an axe to grind, BUT, everybody is playing by the same rules, i.e., break from a certain area, drive a ball to a rail., legal jumps only, etc. i think it is a good part of a great game. you will see quickly whether or not you are equal to someone else's playing ability. i have been fouled out and have managed to three foul some others. no hard feelings on my part!
if i get ball in hand from whatever reason, i have the chance to get a win! lock the guy up if my skill with the cue ball and object ball are good enough or let him out of jail. he is on two fouls if he misses and i have the oppurtunity to read the table layout and try to figure out another safety to win the game. same for my opponent. he gets ball in hand; he locks me up. i foul. he is looking to win with one well executed shot. more power to him. something like a three point shot in basketball or a stolen base in baseball. gotta respect the player that can three foul someone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top