First game to learn, why not one-pocket?

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was in a tournament a few days ago and some new faces showed up to play. I was showing them a few things on stance, bridge, stoke, and had a thought.

Why not teach one-pocket as the first game? Sure it's not the easiest to play well, but the rules are not that tough really. And if you start out teaching something where you have more strategy and different shots to pick from, would it not be better overall in the future? Has anyone tried to get a new player playing one-pocket?
 
hang-the-9 said:
I was in a tournament a few days ago and some new faces showed up to play. I was showing them a few things on stance, bridge, stoke, and had a thought.

Why not teach one-pocket as the first game? Sure it's not the easiest to play well, but the rules are not that tough really. And if you start out teaching something where you have more strategy and different shots to pick from, would it not be better overall in the future? Has anyone tried to get a new player playing one-pocket?
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I think it is too intricate of a game for the novice. I'm fairly certain a new player would get frustrated quickly; some may not. Novice players need to learn proper fundamentals through ball pocketing; not strategies involved in one pocket. I think all novice players should begin with straight pool. It is a good combination of ball pocketing, cue ball control and strategy.
 
rexus31 said:
I think all novice players should begin with straight pool. It is a good combination of ball pocketing, cue ball control and strategy.
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I agree. I wish I had started with straight pool. It seems like the perfect game to make the gradual progression from basic shot making to advanced pattern play and see concrete improvement along the way in the form of improved high runs and average runs.
 
14.1 or straight pool as I know it may be a better choice imho......it is how I was started out along with bank pool.
 
The answer depends on the novice's reasons for wanting to learn to play pool.

If they want to play for social reasons, one-pocket isn't the right game. Who will they get to play with them?

In addition, it's far too intricate of a game that requires great fundamentals of difficult shots like jacked up over two balls, etc. If my introduction to pool had been one-pocket, I'd have given up pool pretty quickly.

Start them out with 8-ball. Easy to understand and usually have a shootable ball. Plus, it's the game their friends and acquaintances are going to want to play.
 
Someone once told me that pool is only fun when you can win. I was always taught that the better player/more knowledgable player would always win a higher percentage of the time in one pocket than in any other game. Not really going to be fun for a new player or the other player for that matter...
 
bdorman said:
The answer depends on the novice's reasons for wanting to learn to play pool.

If they want to play for social reasons, one-pocket isn't the right game. Who will they get to play with them?

In addition, it's far too intricate of a game that requires great fundamentals of difficult shots like jacked up over two balls, etc. If my introduction to pool had been one-pocket, I'd have given up pool pretty quickly.

Start them out with 8-ball. Easy to understand and usually have a shootable ball. Plus, it's the game their friends and acquaintances are going to want to play.
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Not too mention when you ask to play pool most of the general public probably think of 8 ball anyways.
 
rexus31 said:
I think it is too intricate of a game for the novice. I'm fairly certain a new player would get frustrated quickly; some may not. Novice players need to learn proper fundamentals through ball pocketing; not strategies involved in one pocket. I think all novice players should begin with straight pool. It is a good combination of ball pocketing, cue ball control and strategy.
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right on. the ultimate game to learn all you need for all other games.
I have a friend that plays pretty good. One day he said he did not fully understand how when 2 balls are frozen how to make the front ball. this is common in straight pool and all straight pool players are good at this.so we had a little class on how to throw the front ball.
He grew up playing 9 ball.
one pocket sucks. All you learn is defense and how to agonize forever over each shot.
Measureman hates one pocket.
 
I agree that straight pool is a better game for beginners, even 8 ball.

One pocket takes so much focus and concentration.

Its not a good game for those with limited brain power.
 
measureman said:
right on. the ultimate game to learn all you need for all other games.
I have a friend that plays pretty good. One day he said he did not fully understand how when 2 balls are frozen how to make the front ball. this is common in straight pool and all straight pool players are good at this.so we had a little class on how to throw the front ball.
He grew up playing 9 ball.
one pocket sucks. All you learn is defense and how to agonize forever over each shot.
Measureman hates one pocket.
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Not true at all sir. You learn a lot playing one pocket. Its just not for everyone, just like Religion.
 
poolhustler said:
I agree that straight pool is a better game for beginners, even 8 ball.

One pocket takes so much focus and concentration.

Its not a good game for those with limited brain power.
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It's not a good game for those smart enough to not torture themselves.
 
rexus31 said:
One pocket is more like a cult.
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I disagree and think it is the exact opposite. Cult members are typically those of weaker mind who allow themselves to be indoctrinated by some wacko who thinks he/she is jesus cristos reincarnated.

One pocket takes imagination, concentration, focus and a higher level of intelligence to play. Not to mention a higher skill level. You need to be creative, not just simply shooting 1...2...3..4.. etc. AD NASEUM !!!!
 
From OnePocket.org


"It is a game that players often graduate to after building a foundation of pool skills at 8-Ball, 9-Ball or Straight Pool -- and sometimes even 3 Cushion Billiards. It has a more daunting learning curve than other pool games, which makes it not so well suited for beginning players."
 
poolhustler said:
I disagree and think it is the exact opposite. Cult members are typically those of weaker mind who allow themselves to be indoctrinated by some wacko who thinks he/she is jesus cristos reincarnated.

One pocket takes imagination, concentration, focus and a higher level of intelligence to play. Not to mention a higher skill level. You need to be creative, not just simply shooting 1...2...3..4.. etc. AD NASEUM !!!!
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Sir, I am only going by your continuous subliminal text messages and comments attempting to drag me into your world of agony and frustration with repeated promises of something greater. Sounds like a cult to me.
 
rexus31 said:
One pocket is more like a cult.
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we get it. it's not your cup of tea.

one pocket was my first game and it was discouraging and heartbreaking at times, but after all these years (30) i wouldn't have changed anything. of course i learned to play the rotation games, 8 ball, and bank, but my first love was one pocket and it helped me play the aforementioned games to a higher degree of excellence.the only problem i experienced early on was shooting to soft in my rotation games which resulted in a few hangers, but after paying for those mistakes i learned to shoot at a higher pace in the rotation games and all was well.

one pocket is not for everyone, but it is one of the few games that you can obtain a lot of knowledge by simply watching others play it.
 
bdorman said:
One-pocket isn't like a cult, or a religion, or a political party.

It's more like the Waiting Room at the doctor's office: you sit and wait for hours. By the time they call your name, you've forgotten why you're there.
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Congratulations bdorman! You just won azb today!
 
+1 for Straight Pool. 8 ball if they really aren't that serious about learning the game. One Pocket takes a lot of experience, not just the basics of grip, stance, stroke, etc. Equal Offense might be good to start on.
 
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