weight in one pocket,what to do?

I like the handspan idea if his trouble is playing position. Or maybe move it one ball. Fist span?

If you want to increase ball spots, the onepocket.org website has a list of spots in order of strength: https://www.onepocket.org/one-pocket-handicaps/

There are lots of handicaps you could add or change to:

His fouls don't count.

Right after each break, he can take any two (or three) balls off the table for his.

If you don't already coach him some, twice during a game he can ask you for the best two ways to shoot a shot.

In the long run I think you want to steer away from spots that really change the game like handspan or "fouls don't count" as it's not really one pocket.

I've seen two friends play who liked to gamble for a little and the spot was 12-3.
 
What are the typical scores? I mean, if you're beating the guy 8-0 consistently or something like that it's not going to make much of a difference. So, basically, just keep track of the scores and figure out what your buddy consistently gets to and average it out from there.
 
If you're racing to 8 then you could stop at 4 and then stop at 7, or you can only pocket 2, 3, 4? balls at a time then he shoots. Or give him BIH every other turn at the table?
 
Some of what people are saying makes a lot of sense. Go to a whole number like 20 spotting all the made balls up and see what he gets to. Divide both by 2 round down on his if it’s a 1/2 and you go to 11. So if he makes 9 balls to your 20 that’s an 11-4 race to give him a fair chance at winning. If he makes 10 balls it’s 11-5. Etc. you should go up and him down because the better player always has a big advantage in 1 pocket until the spot is ridiculous.
 
gregcantrall said:
At $5 one pocket isn't gambling. More like cheap practice and even lessons. 🤷‍♂️
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I played an old timer in one pocket. I knew he could whip me but it's cool to witness how an experienced old school guy can control the game, and learning the etiquette and things. That was worth the $20 he took off of me. I need to track him down so he can show me how to play 14.1.
 
keep changing the game till you find the one you start losing at. then you will find out that he wont change it back. then you will quit him and the relationship is over.
as long as he is happy losing to you just keep winning. buy him dinner sometimes.
 
measureman said:
I've been playing a guy 8-6 and beating him really bad.
We adjusted to 9-6 and Friday I won 6 games,what now?
10-6 or 9-6 and the break?
We are senior friends and only play for $5 a game but still I want him to have a chance.
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Simply keep adjusting until you find a happy medium. Don’t play for $$ until you find the balance.
 
I'm an intermediate one-pocket player, so this is not bragging about my skill level. I am basically stuck at my current level because I don't like to gamble, and the better players will a) only play for money and b) won't play for less than $50 a game (usually more).

For the same reasons, however, I am a good one for new players to play with to learn the basics of the game. I love the game and will happily play for free or cheap, and I love giving pointers if people ask. We had one guy years ago who was a very inexperienced player - he could barely pocket a ball, let alone play position or safe. But he had money to burn, loved to gamble, and he was fascinated with one-pocket. Everyone else was trying to rob him with spots like 8-6 for $20. I gave him 12-2 for $10 and beat the pants off him for several months. I was also giving him tips and pointers, so when he eventually got to where he could win that game we upped it to 12-5.

My point is it is OK to win against a lesser player, but it shouldn't be a cake walk, you should have to work for it. If that means a crazy spot, so be it.
 
RakRunr said:
I'm an intermediate one-pocket player, so this is not bragging about my skill level. I am basically stuck at my current level because I don't like to gamble, and the better players will a) only play for money and b) won't play for less than $50 a game (usually more).

For the same reasons, however, I am a good one for new players to play with to learn the basics of the game. I love the game and will happily play for free or cheap, and I love giving pointers if people ask. We had one guy years ago who was a very inexperienced player - he could barely pocket a ball, let alone play position or safe. But he had money to burn, loved to gamble, and he was fascinated with one-pocket. Everyone else was trying to rob him with spots like 8-6 for $20. I gave him 12-2 for $10 and beat the pants off him for several months. I was also giving him tips and pointers, so when he eventually got to where he could win that game we upped it to 12-5.

My point is it is OK to win against a lesser player, but it shouldn't be a cake walk, you should have to work for it. If that means a crazy spot, so be it.
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If you really want to learn to play right and can’t play stronger players hire a competent 1p instructor. Beating the weaker player with a spot teaches nothing. I love the game. Can play good enough to have fun. I do not play for money. It’s hard to bear down against a weak player. They do not trap.. fire away. Leave cue on wrong side of the pack. It changes the mindset of replying. I like trying to get out of a trap.. do I scratch. Is there an offensive shot?
Playing/learning from an instructor.. the student will learn their every weakness… and mainly the value of holding the cue ball and setting the traps.
 
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you learn from your own shots. as they are the ones you can do or don't do. not what some top pro plays that you will never be able to come close to.

if you are not smart enough to see the shots that you can do your are not smart enough get really good a it.
 
knowing your % chance of making each shot you shoot is of the utmost importance in pool.
especially in one pocket.

for instance you are down 7 to 2 and most balls kind of up table. but five of them are makeable. and you get a shot like a two railer or hard long rail bank.
you must know your chances of making it and what you make get to say tie the game up if you do.

also your chances of winning if you shoot something else instead.

most will not shoot a shot like that if say they think the are a big dog like 1 chance in three or 4 to make it and sell out if they miss.
but it may be the proper shot as even if it costs you the game immediately. that shot may give you the chance to tie it up and win when you are a giant underdog to win otherwise.
 
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Here is the thing about spots...they change the game in ways other then the simple change in # of balls.

I played a guy last monday. Played even for cheap. After he lost 6 games I said ok we will play 9/7. I won the first game he won the 2nd 7/3. He quit.
We played again today 9/7. He played well enough for the first 8 games that we were even. He was playing slow. He was playing careful never giving up much and mostly getting any open balls. I was playing a little loose and was always playing from behind. He started having problems dealing with pressure from my keeping balls around my pocket. He started playing reckless and scratching. I got 6 games ahead and he quit. He was mad at himself for losing his patience. He can beat me at the game if he plays good 1pkt.

I used to play 9ball with a guy. I would run over him with the 8 and the last 2. Give him the 7 and he could string racks together. Wasnt the same player. We would argue about the spot until 1 of us would give in then the same old story would play out.
 
One Pocket is so unuque such that all kinds of handicaps can be worked out. Other than the traditional spot, how about factoring in no count like you spot him 8/6 plus at least two no count or you have to bank at least two balls into your side to win or many other factors also money lines like playing for $5 but when he wins he gets $7 and so on and so on.
 
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