We have some players in here that have gotten hooked on 1-pocket after having only played 8-ball and 9-ball for their entire pool careers, and they absolutely love it. I have not seen those players do any better in our 9-ball tournaments they play in, as a result of their 1-pocket play.I have come to the conclusion that the game I hated is the one I love and I did myself a disservice not learning it till my mid 50s ,
The game has so many aspects to it that carry over to other games that will improve your play , banking for shape or leave , kicking for safe , holding the cue ball for shape,safe freezing on a ball or in a cluster , stroke speed
It is also easier to match up working a game with a better player to gives you a chance to win but also a chance to learn since its not a break n run contest you will get chances to play
Its a game of imagination its rewarding to see a shot a bank shot a carom off a ball or nipping a ball and going around the table to a safe
The game reminds me of golf once you hit some good shots you see the beauty of the game
My problem with 1-pocket as a 61 year old who has played mainly straight pool and 9-ball for 45 years, is that I only have about 10 hours a week to play pool, due to a busy schedule, as well as shoulder issues that prevent me from playing more. I just don't feel if I spend a majority of that 10 hours playing 1-pocket, which I would need to do for at least a few years to get decent at it, that I'd have any chance of keeping my 9-ball game up as best as I possibly can.