Remember if your opponent tries to pull a rule change on you in the middle of a game:
Thank him politely and then nicely inform him that the next turn (change) is yours. The last move is the best.
randyg
I think you're missing the whole point of bar-room eight ball. It is not mostly a pool game -- it is an exercise in interacting with others. How do you gently negotiate rules when you are among angry strangers? How do you deal with cheating when you know they're cheating, they know they're cheating, and they know that you know they're cheating? What do you do if someone on the side demands to bet with you? Are you able to maintain a clear path to leave the area if necessary? Each of these facets can be far more exciting and interesting than just playing the game.
Start developing your interpersonal skills.
I think you're missing the whole point of bar-room eight ball. It is not mostly a pool game -- it is an exercise in interacting with others. How do you gently negotiate rules when you are among angry strangers? How do you deal with cheating when you know they're cheating, they know they're cheating, and they know that you know they're cheating? What do you do if someone on the side demands to bet with you? Are you able to maintain a clear path to leave the area if necessary? Each of these facets can be far more exciting and interesting than just playing the game.
Start developing your interpersonal skills.
It's crazy, the most popular game in billiards and there are no standardized rules? It changes everywhere you go. No 3 foul rule, why?
http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/2002-02.pdf
One place it's "behind the line" on fouls, which sucks, because you can deliberately foul and put the squeeze on at times. Foul on all balls. As far as I know, foul on all balls only applies when there is an official referee calling the match? Otherwise the "offending" party points at where the ball was and asks his/her opponent where he/she want's the ball?
I don't even like playing it anymore.
Bob,you yourself pointed out the "fluid" rules in 8 ball throughout history more than a decade ago. I don't need to "develop" my interpersonal skillis. Cheating is cheating. Rules change everywhere you go...it's a punk ass game.