One Pocket
Of course One Pocket is a wonderful game; just like chess. People who disdain it and say it is as much fun as watching paint dry usually, when queried, do not know anything about One Pocket and are simply addicted to the fast action of Nine Ball.
You can see in any pool room that the players and temperaments are very different between 8 and 9 ball and the 14.1 and One Pocket players. One Pocket is indeed, a profound, strategic game DEMANDING the utmost patience, concentration and calculation. It IS much like chess in its demand for deep thinking. The ONLY reason a person might not like One Pocket is that he/she was not introduced to the game properly and shown the infinite possibilities of banks, kicks, combos, safeties and game-winning set-ups and the exciting possibilities of a run-out. My 12-year-old nephew loves One Pocket so it is definitely not just a game for geriatrics. He also plays a good game of chess. Maybe One Pocket and chess should always be taught together. I know a few older guys who have said repeatedly that they are “bored” with Nine Ball and the pool-pilsner league shenanigans. You think they want to learn a new, exciting game? LOL. Okay, back to the nursing home and Boggle guys. Needless to say, One Pocket is the ULTIMATE “odds” game. Even a world champion has to work hard playing a duffer if the odds are say, something like: 15-3. How do you give odds in 8-ball? Easier in 9-ball but still there will be too much luck for the orangutan to sink the 6,7,8 or 9 for example. But who really cares? Here in Seattle Preacher Ronn has his One Pocket league for “A” players but scoffs at the idea of another league for “B” players. We don’t all want to play pool for/with money we need for mortgage payments, rent, crowns, glasses, food, co-pays and auto repair thank you.