Mixed feelings ...
I have mixed feelings about this. I agree about out in bars,
but you usually have problems with rules anyway because
of someone playing that doesn't know the rules to begin with,
doesn't play league, and they are just an a-hole trying to
play by 'their' rules.
I have gotten into 'stalemates' in 8 ball before, and they can
go on almost forever between 2 good players. When if
Vegas one time playing in the Valley International tournament,
team play, I got into a situation where me and my opponent
ended up playing 18 safeties in a row. Talk about nerve racking ..
We each had 1 ball left, and the 8 ball. He finally rolled a 1/2"
too far with the cue ball, and I won the game. We had to have
the win to win the match.
Now, if you can not get shape on the 8 ball, that is your fault.
If you can not kick and hit the 8, that is your fault.
(your opponent would have ball in hand anyway). A 3 foul rule
would force a player to go offense. I think I am leaning more
towards having it. Think, if 2 balls frozen on footrail, defense shot
behind your ball, opponent just keeps 'missing' his ball because
his ball is still close to yours where you can not make it, so that
means you have to go offense and open up your ball without
giving him a shot. You bump your ball, knocking his way out
from yours, staying behind yours, and hope he diesn't hit it
on a kick shot. No, I really think I am in favor of a 3 foul rule
for 8 ball, mostly anyway.