But why?
If newer players aren't taught that there's an option, they won't even care...
Just play by the rules.
It's no harder than making up a different set of rules to play by...
Why Pool Leagues Should Embrace “ALL BALL FOULS”
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
If newer players aren't taught that there's an option, they won't even care...
Just play by the rules.
It's no harder than making up a different set of rules to play by...
I really hate to say this, but unfortunately the demographic that pool attracts is egocentric, due to many factors listed many times on this forum. Any rules at all are seen as flagstones towards achieving the only goal many see, and that is beating their opponent at all costs. Maybe other billiard disciplines have a more democratic view.
Meh.
Unless the "rules" somehow favor one opponent over another, that argument doesn't seem to be valid...
In our leagues, there is no such thing as a team captain, one league is a two person team league, and one is a three person team league. We shoot individually with no coaching allowed.
For this discussion, what golf or baseball does shouldn't matter, this is about league pool.
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Didn’t the 2023 rules of golf allow a local rule modification to stroke and distance in some situations. I admit I haven’t kept up well with the rules. And to answer your question in the other post I.e. why have cue ball only as an option— because people are going to use cue ball only rules because all ball fouls will cause more arguments in some leagues and situations. Maybe all ball fouls shouldn’t cause issues, but there is good reason to think there will be disputes.
One more post on the subject for tonight - maybe. 
The USGA was formed in 1894. In conjunction with the R & A Golf Club of St Andrews which was formed in 1754 they have governed the game of golf & it's rules. The R & A in it's current form dates back to 2004.
There has been nothing else governing the game of golf.
Pool can't say the same thing & IMHO that is why we hare having these discussions about rules & leagues & multiple organizations etc etc.
The USGA was formed in 1894. In conjunction with the R & A Golf Club of St Andrews which was formed in 1754 they have governed the game of golf & it's rules. The R & A in it's current form dates back to 2004.
There has been nothing else governing the game of golf.
Pool can't say the same thing & IMHO that is why we hare having these discussions about rules & leagues & multiple organizations etc etc.
Even so, it's the rules that specify when certain, specific local changes are authorized...
Within the rules.
Not just because...
A shirt or hair can move a ball just like a light touch from a hand, boob, belly, or cue. So should there be a foul only if a ball gets moved a lot and not a little? That could really create arguments.
And who defines a "lot" or a "little"...
Another golf example...
A lot of people want to change the rules of golf to allow a player to move the ball out of a divot rather than playing it as it lies.
The problem lies in that nobody can define the exact point in time when a divot has grown in to the point that it's no longer a divot.
Until you can do that, you can't write a rule that is applied in the same way, by everybody when faced with the same situation...
InsertCleverNameHere
Well-known member
An in-house league that I used to play in had all ball fouls for a couple of seasons. It was an absolute shit show all the arguments it created. Last thing anyone wants to do on league night is argue about whether or not their hair or shirt touched a ball out in space.
Simply cannot be done without designated and impartial Referee’s and nobody is going to pay for that. Horrible idea imo. I watched the video, doesn’t change my mind.
Now if you want to do this in tournaments? Where everyone is there to win and that’s what the game is about, not a terrible idea. But, frankly, it just doesn’t matter for the outcome of the game if the 6 ball moves 1/8” I mean come on that’s not worth an argument for any amount of cheese.
Simply cannot be done without designated and impartial Referee’s and nobody is going to pay for that. Horrible idea imo. I watched the video, doesn’t change my mind.
Now if you want to do this in tournaments? Where everyone is there to win and that’s what the game is about, not a terrible idea. But, frankly, it just doesn’t matter for the outcome of the game if the 6 ball moves 1/8” I mean come on that’s not worth an argument for any amount of cheese.
All leagues and tournaments over here are all balls fouls. This is how the game should be played.
There is something that is called sportsmanship. The opponent usually sees better than the shooter, so if he calls a foul, it is.
But for this to be able to work in the USA, pool should be treated as a sport... yes! we are back to this argument... if it's just a past time game then leave it with CB foul only, but really, stop complaining that pool is not going anywhere and that it's dying in the US
There is something that is called sportsmanship. The opponent usually sees better than the shooter, so if he calls a foul, it is.
But for this to be able to work in the USA, pool should be treated as a sport... yes! we are back to this argument... if it's just a past time game then leave it with CB foul only, but really, stop complaining that pool is not going anywhere and that it's dying in the US
Just for contrast, in crowded situations, many a shot has gone awry when a spectator lumbers behind the shooter and magically has the perfect timing to wreck the shot. What's the call?
When there is external interference, balls are replaced and the shot is repeated. See more in Section 1.9 of the WPA Ru,es.
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This rule seems to skirt the issue though. The moment is lost and only the shooter has a chance at knowing what the shot was/would've been. There are no provisions for voiding the game entirely?
See the last sentence of 1.9 (not 1.8).
Its a pointless nitty ass rule that has no weight over a game if a cuetip or finger brushed any ball
its only purpose seems to be starting needless controversy
dreamhouse
New member
Apart from the consternation that a low-hanging shirt touching (or not touching) a ball might cause in league matches, I think all ball fouls would be an enjoyable addition to the game. It forces the shooter to be more exact when cueing over or around balls and makes position play to a comfortable shooting zone more rewarding (or punishing if you play safe and your opponent must bridge over a ball).
If an individual is a part of a billiard league, it should be assumed that he/she enjoys and/or respects the game enough to follow the official rules. Leagues are social by nature but they’re also more formal and structured than going down to your local pub on Friday night and shooting a couple games with random bar patrons. Let the leagues abide by official rules and let the random bar-bangers play their house rules.
If an individual is a part of a billiard league, it should be assumed that he/she enjoys and/or respects the game enough to follow the official rules. Leagues are social by nature but they’re also more formal and structured than going down to your local pub on Friday night and shooting a couple games with random bar patrons. Let the leagues abide by official rules and let the random bar-bangers play their house rules.