Pool? If you can only play one game?

This. House rules in my room is 'last pocket' 8 ball. Makes for some really interesting finishes.
'Last pocket' is assigning the pocket for the 8 prior to the game beginning right? I can see that being entertaining. I played a money game with a Chinese-8 pro a couple months ago, and made him tell me his pocket for the 8 prior to playing his first shot (I could call any pocket on arriving on the black). He wanted to spot me balls, and I was having none of that 🤣 11 frames of me tying the black up, and some easy money. Second set, we altered the spot, he just had to tell me which side of the table (left or right), won that 11-6. was 5-1 down until I organized my strategy (2nd ball break, and try and canon into the 8 to force it to the bottom rail with my first shot. Gave me potential safe options later, or more two way shot options later on)

Playing even, I personally like all shots called, no combo allowed when selecting which suit (spot to stripe or vice versa - spot to spot, or stripe to stripe is ok). Everything else is pretty standard stuff.
 
Last edited:
'Last pocket' is assigning the pocket for the 8 prior to the game beginning right? I can see that being entertaining. I played a money game with a Chinese-8 pro a couple months ago, and made him tell me his pocket for the 8 prior to playing his first shot (I could call any pocket on arriving on the black). He wanted to spot me balls, and I was having none of that 🤣 11 frames of me tying the black up, and some easy money. Second set, he we altered the spot, he just had to tell me which side of the table (left or right), won that 11-6. was 5-1 down until I organized my strategy (2nd ball break, and try and canon into the 8 to force it to the bottom rail with my first shot. Gave me potential safe options later, or more two way shot options later on)

Playing even, I personally like all shots called, no combo allowed when selecting which suit (spot to stripe or vice versa - spot to spot, or stripe to stripe is ok). Everything else is pretty standard stuff.

Last pocket is where you have to pocket the 8B in the same pocket you made your last ball in.

There's a few guys who play bank the 8 in the bar I usually play in, that's fun too. Especially when they have no idea how to bank :)
 
last pocket 8 ball if the match up is anywhere close the one pocket player will be the big long term winner.

of course smarts help as there is more thinking in it considerably so.

back pocket 8 ball is all a one pocket game. who can play the best last ball on the table one pocket, is a sure winner.
 
Playing even, I personally like all shots called, no combo allowed when selecting which suit (spot to stripe or vice versa - spot to spot, or stripe to stripe is ok). Everything else is pretty standard stuff.
We'll play 8B now & then where the 8 is neutral; you can use it legally in a called combo.....but boy ohh boy can that be dangerous for the shooter!! 😭
 
last pocket 8 ball if the match up is anywhere close the one pocket player will be the big long term winner.

of course smarts help as there is more thinking in it considerably so.

back pocket 8 ball is all a one pocket game. who can play the best last ball on the table one pocket, is a sure winner.

And if neither are 1P players, then the best player wins :)
 
I'm curious and will give this a short set later with a friend if they want to try it. Thanks for sharing. Could be fun.
It can be very dangerous....but that adds to the fun IMHO. I forgot to mention that if you use the 8 for a combo and you foul (scratch), instant loss. Of course instant loss if you pocket the 8B.
 
when 14.1 was popular we gambled at it all the time. just made games. such as.

1. a spot like 50 to 35 was common.

2. better player played like 5 and stop or 5 and safe.

3. trick game one guy had a side pocket or both and the other a top player in the room had to go to 50 or a hundred before you made one.

4. most often we just gambled who got to 8 first like one pocket. games go fast like 9 ball. and how you break is important in such a short race.

5. we bet alot at times and it was fun and profitable.

the world champs over in new york would play every day like in queens at the golden cue. miz, margo,martin,hopkins, ervirlino, euphemia, and a few others.
that was the big joke. they would be playing like 300 points for ten bucks.
while i was over in the corner playing 6 ball 10 to 20 bucks a game with players that couldn't make the last three if they were hanging.
make a score and off to the trotters after dark.
 
in 14.1 you don’t want to be cute and creative you want to keep it simple as possible because all pockets and balls are open for the opponent when you miss
comes up seldom where your forced to take something other than a straight or cut shot

Definitely never want to bank a ball and much less kick a ball in 14.1

In 1pkt you get all the pool shots plus more that you generally only would play/know in 1pkt

Stack shots I feel are even more risky in 14.1 than 1pkt
If the ball isn’t dead as a door knob in 14.1 you better not open them
Where in 1pkt it’s ok to chip them your way

At 17:00 if the time doesn't work
I know it's an exception and not a common shot, but it's such an aggressive shot I had to post it.

8 ball is the game for me. In nine and 10 ball, it's too easy to do most of the work and then land funny and lose the game, at least at my current skill level. I'm finally getting good enough at at patterns and position to get on my break ball somewhat regularly in 14.1.
 
Last pocket 8 ball on a bar box is one of the great gambling games of the sport. All the Hispanic champions play it well. Seen tons of big matches played in Houston.
 
8 ball , then snooker , ten ball . I should learn to play 14.1 and one pocket , they look interesting
I love playing 14.1 in practice, because it's continuous, I always wind up playing for a while. If I land good on the break ball, I have to start another rack and not let it go to waste. If I mess up I have to redeem myself. If I'm playing one pocket alone, I forget which hole I'm shooting at, and it can be too easy to wind up in a near stalemate.
 
14.1, by far.

(There coudda be a different reply, but I don't play One Pocket; so Straight Pool that is, the king of them all :giggle:)

P.S. After some considerations I was thinking, I might very well take pocket inserts and convert the table to play... billiards games!!! Because if limited to only one game, I think billiards provides thhe most variety of shots, and takes vast amount of knowledge. And yes, let it be on a pool table with standard sized pool balls :)
 
Last edited:
Back
Top