In an article by raider dated November 5, 2023 that states that:
“The game of one-pocket was not invented until Hayden Lingo started it in Oklahoma City in 1931. Today the professional pool players consider one-pocket as the truest test of a player’s ability.” — George Jansco, 1965
While I am sure the researcher, Brando Scott King, made every effort to verify that his statement is true but I have to disagree.
My source is Nat Cusbert was 69 years old when I started playing pool in 1968. While Nat was recovering a Gold Crown at Marina Billiards he asked me to give him a hand, while we worked Nat started telling me stories about pool.
I do not remember most of the stories but I have a clear memory of two of Nat's stories.
Nat said his best game was One Pocket and he use to played Whitey, the best One Pocket player at the time 8 to 7 on Whitey's break and 9 to 8 on his break.
This was meaningless to me because I did know Whitey so I looked around the room and asked "How would you play Weldon?" Weldon aka "Roger" was one of the best players in New York before he moved to Los Angeles where he was the best One Pocket player in L A.
Nat said, "I would drive across the country to play Weldon".
The second thing I clearly remember is Nat's answer to my question about when did the guys start playing One Pocket.
Nat said in the 1920s the game everyone played in New York was Straight Pool. The problem for the weaker players was no matter what the spot he would not have a chance against the better players.
Nat did not remember who but one of the guys said, I'll play straight pool if we each have only one pocket.
I do not have proof but Nat's story makes sense to me.
A few more thoughts, One Pocket is basically straight pool except the balls count only when the balls are pocketed in one pocket.
One Pocket rules are virtually identical to straight pool rules.
When they played one pocket in the 1920s they did not stop when one player pocketed eight balls, instead they played until there was one ball left on the table then racked the other 14 balls the same way as they did when playing straight pool.
While I was in Baton Rouge I saw Johnny Ervolino play this exact game, first player to pocket fifty balls for $6,000.
“The game of one-pocket was not invented until Hayden Lingo started it in Oklahoma City in 1931. Today the professional pool players consider one-pocket as the truest test of a player’s ability.” — George Jansco, 1965
While I am sure the researcher, Brando Scott King, made every effort to verify that his statement is true but I have to disagree.
My source is Nat Cusbert was 69 years old when I started playing pool in 1968. While Nat was recovering a Gold Crown at Marina Billiards he asked me to give him a hand, while we worked Nat started telling me stories about pool.
I do not remember most of the stories but I have a clear memory of two of Nat's stories.
Nat said his best game was One Pocket and he use to played Whitey, the best One Pocket player at the time 8 to 7 on Whitey's break and 9 to 8 on his break.
This was meaningless to me because I did know Whitey so I looked around the room and asked "How would you play Weldon?" Weldon aka "Roger" was one of the best players in New York before he moved to Los Angeles where he was the best One Pocket player in L A.
Nat said, "I would drive across the country to play Weldon".
The second thing I clearly remember is Nat's answer to my question about when did the guys start playing One Pocket.
Nat said in the 1920s the game everyone played in New York was Straight Pool. The problem for the weaker players was no matter what the spot he would not have a chance against the better players.
Nat did not remember who but one of the guys said, I'll play straight pool if we each have only one pocket.
I do not have proof but Nat's story makes sense to me.
A few more thoughts, One Pocket is basically straight pool except the balls count only when the balls are pocketed in one pocket.
One Pocket rules are virtually identical to straight pool rules.
When they played one pocket in the 1920s they did not stop when one player pocketed eight balls, instead they played until there was one ball left on the table then racked the other 14 balls the same way as they did when playing straight pool.
While I was in Baton Rouge I saw Johnny Ervolino play this exact game, first player to pocket fifty balls for $6,000.
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