Great book but is it $300 better than Tom's Controlled Aggression.
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- Thread starter marek
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Great book but is it $300 better than Tom's Controlled Aggression.
Having read most of the 1pocket books available, I also like WOP (and SM&S). Eddie’s books contain a wealth of information no other book comes close to, IMO. Admittedly, the price is steep but well worth it, and from an investment point of view, will only increase in value. It’s like buying a great cue — you’ll always be able to get your money out down the road.
None of this is intended as a slight against any other author. There’s good stuff in other volumes too.
Lou Figueroa
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A sneak peek at "OnePocket..a game of controlled aggression". I have not seen WOP but would enjoy reading it. However Tom's book is as detailed as it gets. Covers almost situation that repeatedly comes up. There is something for every player from beginner to advanced. Controlled Aggression is without a doubt a future collectable. It has not been mass produced. There are not 1000's books available. To own one and pass it on someday is to keep 1p alive.
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Beginners like myself have this problem. Either start and grow with someone or find an experienced player to spar with you cheap...maybe for time or have an arrangement. I'm fortunate to have a neighbor learning 1p and he is tough. He's great rotation player and they tend to be very good 1p players. I go to a poolroom once in a while but most 1p players want money sets. I'm not money player...I could handle a few bucks but not interested. If a opponent cannot be found try a local tournament. It is a good experience. It's a great way to meet other players of various levels. Don't have a local tourney...start one.Basically you need an opponent who can punish you from your mistakes. Then the real and hard learning process can begin
I can teach anyone the basic moves in One Pocket in one day. Plus show them some of the strategy that differs from all other pool games but is effective at One Pocket. Often times just rolling the cue ball a few inches is the best shot (even pros overlook these obvious shots quite often), far better than trying to make a difficult bank. The simple shot is often the best shot. Going for broke in One Pocket will get you broke! 
You really can't compare Robbins books with Tom's book, to be fair. Yes they are both 1P books, but Toms book takes the game into the 21st century.
The quality of the layouts/Pics in Tom's book, are night and day better than WOP. They're actual pictures. Plus, Tom's explanations are more simplistic. He gets his point across a little better.
The illustrations in WOP, and SMS are black/white layouts. But, with WOP/SMS, you have way more layouts/shots, plus, the some fantastic stories, and history of past/present players.
Like someone mentioned, you will never lose money purchasing WOP.
The quality of the layouts/Pics in Tom's book, are night and day better than WOP. They're actual pictures. Plus, Tom's explanations are more simplistic. He gets his point across a little better.
The illustrations in WOP, and SMS are black/white layouts. But, with WOP/SMS, you have way more layouts/shots, plus, the some fantastic stories, and history of past/present players.
Like someone mentioned, you will never lose money purchasing WOP.
The thing WOP and SM&S have going for them, besides a tremendous amount of information on systems, and pool anecdotes, and great pictures of the game’s greats, is the different solutions different players have for the same layout.
IOWs, it’s not just one guy’s opinion on what to do — it’s bona fide, gilt-edged, certified champions and legends providing their insights. You get the old school answer as well as the more creative and outside the box approach as well. It’s Squirrel and Cookie Monster and The Cannon and The Philly Flash and Pittsburg Billy and Jersey Red and Boston Shorty and Champagne Eddie and The Proffessor and Chicago Bugs and Weenie Beanie and The Knoxville Bear all telling you what they’d do in specific situations.
And frankly, I believe the overhead diagrams, though B&W, provide a more accurate perspective to the layouts than photos taken from the side of the table might.
Lou Figueroa
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Yes. You can get similar scenarios over at 1P.org through their WWYD situations, but over there you have to glean a few nuggets cast through a trough of internet cowboy solutions. In Eddie’s books you get to compare champion’s ideas upon champion’s ideas.
Even though the entry point for WOP and SM&S nowadays is steep, it’s a “buy once, cry once” type of deal.
When I stared out in 1 hole I sought out WOP and after digesting what basics I could from the contents, my game quickly got up to a competitive standard. I wasn’t a killer, but I was able to hang with decent players and start learning at an accelerated pace given my inchoate stage at learning the game.
Bottom line, if you lay out and get the books you stand to learn a lot. If they are not for you and you take good care of your copies, there is always a willing buyer that will be there so you can recoup your costs.
Do you own Toms book. If not your critique is worthless. And if you do it is worthless. Each book has nothing to do with the other. If you have Toms book and don’t like it sell it. Just one guys opinion? That would be yours. But please say you own a copy. Don’t say you borrowed one. Nobody lends theirs out. Just curious why you feel it is necessary to find/create some negative nit picks. Or maybe I’m misunderstanding your post. Please explain. Controlled Aggression is an unofficial best seller. I’d love to have better playing skills so I can benefit from Everything in it.
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I can teach anyone the basic moves in One Pocket in one day. Plus show them some of the strategy that differs from all other pool games but is effective at One Pocket. Often times just rolling the cue ball a few inches is the best shot (even pros overlook these obvious shots quite often), far better than trying to make a difficult bank. The simple shot is often the best shot. Going for broke in One Pocket will get you broke!
Please see Mr. Chohan receives your Memorandum.
My office requires his signed acknowledgement of receipt.
Yes, I own a copy of TW’s book.
And so sorry, but discussing the relative merits of the existing books out there on 1pocket is what we were kicking around. One guy said he liked the color pictures. I said I preferred the diagrams. He liked one guy’s take on various shots. I said I preferred reading the opinions of several great players on one shot.
What’s the problem with discussing those and related points?
I’m very happy that CA is a best seller though I will point out, since you brought it up, ER’s book are considerably harder to come by. And I would also point out that the market has spoken as to their value.
Lou Figueroa
Their value as items have to do with rarity more than their info.
Wop/sms as not even remotely comparable to Toms. Controlled aggression is a workout book, eddies are none of the sort.
The only similarity is their focus on the game of one pocket.
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But I hear the same stuff just the other way around.
I know one player/cue maker wanna be who asked me if toms book was worth the 60$.
I said hell man for a life long guys solid take on one pocket skills it’s great. But it’s nothing like winning one pocket they are just completely diff.
He goes off about how eddies books are not worth what people want and blah blah blah and he’d never buy them.
But the sob has digital copies of them.
I basically told him they we’re worth plenty he was just too cheap to have his own, but still knew the value of them or he wouldn’t have a black market copy
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Hey, he only gave me 8-4 and wiped the floor with me.
My take on all this is that they are all good books, very useful for anyone who loves One Pocket and is looking to improve their game. Robin's books were not always best sellers. In fact, early on he had trouble selling them for $42 each. I bought one case (50 books) of each one for the wholesale price of $20 each and spent a year or more selling them one at a time for $40. I kind of wish I'd hung onto them a little longer. :grin:
I'm kind of partial to SMS since I'm featured on pages 71-72 for a match I played in the last Stardust tourney in 1972 against Jimmy Fusco. He was the reigning Eastern States champion and I was a nobody, a shortstop who owned a poolroom in Bakersfield, CA. I surprised Jimmy and came away with a win, and we became buddies for the rest of his life. RIP my friend!
That said, I would highly recommend Tom's book (yes, I have one) to anyone looking to improve their One Pocket game. In a word, it's brilliant! Carry on.
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Hey, he only gave me 8-4 and wiped the floor with me.
My take on all this is that they are all good books, very useful for anyone who loves One Pocket and is looking to improve their game. Robin's books were not always best sellers. In fact, early on he had trouble selling them for $42 each. I bought one case (50 books) of each one for the wholesale price of $20 each and spent a year or more selling them one at a time for $40. I kind of wish I'd hung onto them a little longer. :grin:
I'm kind of partial to SMS since I'm featured on pages 71-72 for a match I played in the last Stardust tourney in 1972 against Jimmy Fusco. He was the reigning Eastern States champion and I was a nobody, a shortstop who owned a poolroom in Bakersfield, CA. I surprised Jimmy and came away with a win, and we became buddies for the rest of his life. RIP my friend!
That said, I would highly recommend Tom's book (yes, I have one) to anyone looking to improve their One Pocket game. In a word, it's brilliant! Carry on.
What you get with TWs book does not end with the book he has his you tube channel to watch many of his shots that get updated on a regular basis ,he's a member here , and he is inter active you got a question he's happy to answer ,
He is a fine man and lives his life to share the game of one pocket the game he loves
you cant go wrong buying his book
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I guess I misinterpreted your post. Seems like everything said was your opinion. Accept my apology if I'm reading you wrong. So do you like Tom's book and do recommend it? Also I believe there is a price increase. $65shipped. In 6 months it might cost more. As for ER's books. Not cheap and not so readily available. What good does that do for a player trying to learn/improve at 1P.
No problem discussing related points...like I said I must have read your post wrong. I'm all for discussing 1p..especially here on Azb. In life and at the table we constantly compete with each other, I'd like to think Azb is different that we stay constructive and support each other. Especially our quality vendors and authors. Books like Controlled Aggression do not come around very often. Players/instructors like Tom do not come around very often.
Would you mind posting page 71-72. Id enjoy reading about you.Hey, he only gave me 8-4 and wiped the floor with me.
My take on all this is that they are all good books, very useful for anyone who loves One Pocket and is looking to improve their game. Robin's books were not always best sellers. In fact, early on he had trouble selling them for $42 each. I bought one case (50 books) of each one for the wholesale price of $20 each and spent a year or more selling them one at a time for $40. I kind of wish I'd hung onto them a little longer. :grin:
I'm kind of partial to SMS since I'm featured on pages 71-72 for a match I played in the last Stardust tourney in 1972 against Jimmy Fusco. He was the reigning Eastern States champion and I was a nobody, a shortstop who owned a poolroom in Bakersfield, CA. I surprised Jimmy and came away with a win, and we became buddies for the rest of his life. RIP my friend!
That said, I would highly recommend Tom's book (yes, I have one) to anyone looking to improve their One Pocket game. In a word, it's brilliant! Carry on.
As for Jimmy I grew up in Phila. Always heard about Jimmy but never saw him play. Jimmy was always a respected person/player. I did meet and BS with him at Tacony years ago.
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lmao.
If ER were to put out a third edition tomorrow, with say Efren, Scott, Tony, Danny, and Francisco as the five participants providing their insight, as in the previous editions, he could sell copies for hundreds and it would have nothing to do with “rarity.”
It’s just a better format and more knowledge.
Lou Figueroa
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