The One Pocket "Wedge?"

[westcoast]

Score one for TAR (The Action Report) ...

Thanks, that one (2011 US Open Onepocket - Efren Reyes - Chris Gentile (Part 1) ) ended up being Chris Gentile & Efren Reyes meeting for the first time in this years U.S. Open...

Which led me to the one where Scott Frost, Billy Incardona, and Corey Deuel are commentating and go into the "Wedge Game" as previously mentioned in this thread..

Corey Deuel - "Whats the Wedge Game" ? ...

The Freezer & Billy the Kid have different takes on when and what sides to play the Wedge Game on; both have their merits IMHO...

2011 US Open Onepocket Finals - Efren Reyes - Chris Gentile (Part 1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6A1QCJTdBU

Yes, the wedge game is around the 20:10 mark

Corey is a hilarious commentator

He kept suggesting outlandish shots and Billy and Scott were laughing at him and kinda getting angry at him. Scott eventually says "Corey we are trying to provide realistic commentary for the viewers at home"! (at about 1:11:30)

 

[The Chinchilla]

Even varner himself admitted in that commentary (player review) that at one point he made a poor shot to keep pushing the balls up the table against hopkins. hopkins loves that stuff with the lead.

i still dont think either side is any real advantage at all -- and if there is an advantage, it is very small and not worth fighting for.

 

[hunger strike]

Not all games can be 8 and out....

I talked to Nick about it a couple months ago at a seminar he gave at Hard Times in Sacramento. He does not know where or when the "Wedge" was attributed to the way he plays and denies he is looking to use it. In his words "The best move in one pocket is eight and out and that is what I am looking for".

The modern one pocket game is much more aggressive than it was years ago, even on the tighter tables we play on now. If you can't run balls you are getting beat, no matter how well you move.

The Wedge is pretty much non existent, then and now.

Good points, but obviously some games are going to go up-table. In the Hall-Walden match I referenced, Buddy didn't seem to intend to play the wedge from the beginning, it seemed that at some point that strategy just started to make sense due to the ball layout. And if it happens, you might as well know something about it. Buddy played it well, but Walden did not seem to mind it... I am a big Varner fan and although I was told that he originated the strategy, I hope I never implied that this is his preferred strategy. But he is a patient player so it is no surprise to me that his name is associated with a tactic that seems to lend itself to being a patient, experienced, composed player. And you don't meet many folks with such a great personality as Nick Varner.

 

[ironman]

This is so true.

yes it is so true. The offensive is always giving up the weight and once he catches up in the ball count, the mover is usually screwed.
As one points too in this thread, 9 ball has slown way down and 1 pocket has shot straight up. kind of a role reversal!! Some now are running packages in 1 pocket! LOL

 

[jrhendy]

Good points, but obviously some games are going to go up-table. In the Hall-Walden match I referenced, Buddy didn't seem to intend to play the wedge from the beginning, it seemed that at some point that strategy just started to make sense due to the ball layout. And if it happens, you might as well know something about it. Buddy played it well, but Walden did not seem to mind it... I am a big Varner fan and although I was told that he originated the strategy, I hope I never implied that this is his preferred strategy. But he is a patient player so it is no surprise to me that his name is associated with a tactic that seems to lend itself to being a patient, experienced, composed player. And you don't meet many folks with such a great personality as Nick Varner.

I have played/gambled at one pocket for over 50 years and am a fair defensive player. I still had to kick up my offensive game to compete with todays young guns.

I paid to go to Nick's seminar mainly to support the room I play out of, but picked up some valuable insights from him and would not hesitate to go to another one. He is very patient and goes through his thought process on any question asked of him.

If you are a one pocket player and he comes to your area, do not miss a chance to learn from him.

 

[Old Nine Baller]

Afternoon all.

I was just over on the One Pocket org site and was reading a reply by Billy Incardona. He referenced a game which he played where his opponent, being behind in ball count, starting setting up the "wedge." From the tone of the reply, the wedge isn't used to come from behind (it is more of a lead maneuver I guess.) Anyway, I have never heard the term and my search over there turned up fruitless. Can anyone give me an overview of the wedge or point me in the right direction for research?

I would have asked Billy I himself. However, that is Billy Incardona and I am...ummm, nobody <grin.>

Regards,
~Roy

I ordered a few of the one pocket from the 2014 DCC and I just looked through a couple of them because I knew I saw a game that ended with a so-called wedge.

It was game 3 of the Bustamante/SVB match. After the wedge started the game went for another 51 mins..

P.S. The wedge was being played before Varner set foot in a poolroom and before anyone called it a wedge.

http://www.1vshop.com/Accu-Stats/st...ncisco+Bustamante+vs.+Shane+Van+Boening+(DVD)

ONB

 

[MitchDAZB]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the classic "wedge" video:

Daulton vs. Varner
1998 Legends of One Pocket (1P4-09d)

Hilarious commentary from Grady and Billy!

 

[Baby Huey]

The Wedge is nothing new to One Pocket. I had it done to me when I was a young kid in the 60's. What is interesting about the Wedge is that it's a lot easier to talk about setting up then actually doing it. There are One Pocket players who excel at certain defense strategies and can only play one style. Saying you are going to use the Wedge may not occur if your opponent doesn't let you get away with it. That usually happens when balls get pocketed up table and the cue ball is covered thus blocking the spotted ball.

 

[Old Nine Baller]

I ordered a few of the one pocket from the 2014 DCC and I just looked through a couple of them because I knew I saw a game that ended with a so-called wedge.

It was game 3 of the Bustamante/SVB match. After the wedge started the game went for another 51 mins..

P.S. The wedge was being played before Varner set foot in a poolroom and before anyone called it a wedge.

http://www.1vshop.com/Accu-Stats/st...ncisco+Bustamante+vs.+Shane+Van+Boening+(DVD)

ONB

The Wedge is nothing new to One Pocket. I had it done to me when I was a young kid in the 60's. What is interesting about the Wedge is that it's a lot easier to talk about setting up then actually doing it. There are One Pocket players who excel at certain defense strategies and can only play one style. Saying you are going to use the Wedge may not occur if your opponent doesn't let you get away with it. That usually happens when balls get pocketed up table and the cue ball is covered thus blocking the spotted ball.

Wedges are mostly naturally occurring things. The player with the lead doesn't mind it because his oppo has to beat him to one ball multiple times to win. The player who is behind sometimes has no other option.

Here's a wedge from the dvd I mentioned. It starts out with Busty having a 7-0 lead and 7 minutes later it's a full blown wedge with Shane down 7-1.

P.S. I can remember guys (mid-70's) seeing all the balls crammed into a corner and commenting that the balls were all wedged together. It's not a modern term.

 

[alphadog]

Have not read all posts but legends of one pocket Varner vs daulton.
Billy laughs and laughs at Grady as a teaches him about the wedge.