Grrrrrrr! Fecking world rules!

[Sarmu]

I assume I'm missing something - but I can't see where the deliberate foul rule is in the EPA rules that i've just read The one that Mellow Yellow is ranting about.

I'm not sure if deliberate foul will be mentioned in the rules, but I think it's because there is no rules says you can't foul on purpose or things like the miss rule.

I quite like deliberate foul, it adds some extra tactic into the game, I think the purpose of this tactic is to put the balls in a position where you can't make a clearance. But it still considered as a foul so all rules regards to foul should still apply, which it should give the other player an advantage.

I'm not sure what others think, but I've seen some great shot played using deliberate foul.

[Blagonadezdins]

So, in Mellow's example, why did his opponent deliberately foul? And why would you use this shot option? I have to say that I have never really thought about using this trick.

[Mellow Yellow]

for instance:

My oponent only has one red ball plus the black left, his last red is hanging over the pocket, if he hits it he pots it. The black is totally tied up with my remaining yellow balls, there is no way he can get onto it by potting his last red, so he plays away knowing that even with two shots i cannot clear up (he has the pocket i need covered) and eventually i will be freeing up the black for him by playing my yellows.

I cannot pot his red (no free ball), i cannot play away as this will give him two shots, one to pot his red, one to free the black up, and one to more than likely pot the black and game over.

This is not exactly how it happened but it is the best way i can explain the benefits of playing away.

And no there is not a rule to say you can delibarately foul, but there is no rule anymore to say that a deliberate foul results in loss of frame, therefore it is a legal shot.

[Blagonadezdins]

Thanks, that clears it up now.

To be honest, I can see both sides of having/not having the deliberate foul rule.

In your opponents case, it's obviously a bit unfair on his part that - when he pots his red - he will have no shot on the black. Therefore, he will just have to make do with hitting it, and in the process free up your yellows and potentially lose the game. So from his point of view, the rule balances out the fact that the game is still in your favour (providing you're a good enough player).

From your perspective, it is unfair also. While he continually plays away from his red in a deliberate foul, you have little option but to eventually free up the black ball for him whilst hitting your yellow. Meaning you have the pressure of having to pot all your remaining colours and the black. Though, depending on the position of the black, could you not deliberately foul too?