Bank Pool only..a waste of time?

FSutton

FSutton

4 Rails!
Silver Member
Hey guys,

So I find myself playing ALOT lately but I only really enjoy playing bank pool full rack and if I have to short rack. My question to you guys is, do you think it's a waste to play and practice all my time just banks? I really don't care for nine ball or eight ball. I enjoy one pocket but I'm not going to bet any serious money on it. Some guys at my room say I will regret it if I don't start with some of the other games. I just wondering what opinions are out that. Seems to me that lots of guys from Louisville and Chicage specialized just in banks and maybe some one pocket.

f
 
If banks is the main action game in your room and you are a man that enjoys action, then I think its fine. But if its not the main action game you should definitely learn the main game, whatever it is in your area.

Finally, the more games you play, the better you will become in each individual game, and the more likely you will be able to match up with someone.
 
FSutton said:
Hey guys,

So I find myself playing ALOT lately but I only really enjoy playing bank pool full rack and if I have to short rack. My question to you guys is, do you think it's a waste to play and practice all my time just banks? I really don't care for nine ball or eight ball. I enjoy one pocket but I'm not going to bet any serious money on it. Some guys at my room say I will regret it if I don't start with some of the other games. I just wondering what opinions are out that. Seems to me that lots of guys from Louisville and Chicage specialized just in banks and maybe some one pocket.

f
Click to expand...

Regret it how?? If you enjoy playing banks and you have no problem finding others that enjoy playing it....seems like a no brainer to me. If you don't want to play 9 or 8 ball much, then don't.

Look, if you're goal is to be a professional pool player (which isn't truly the best occupational goal) then you will want to work on every aspect of every game (if you want to make any money). Sure, there will be a game or two that you will excell in, and that's the norm for most players (in pretty much all sports. exp. Barry Bonds is no Torrey Hunter in the field, and vice vesra w/the bat....Phil Mickelson will never be as accurate off the tee as Jim Furyk, and Furyk doesn't make as many birdies as Phil...etc. - notice I left Tiger out, cuz he's a FREAK! lol) So, play what you like to play, unless your goal is to make $$$$ - then you'll want to work on your TOTAL game.

BTW, I LOVE playing banks too (my grandfather's favorite/best games were banks and 1P), and I can usually find a game without looking too hard. :grin:
 
i am a big one pocket fan and i feel it helps all aspects of your game, but i also think there are more moves in full rack banks than any other game. jmo.
 
If I were going to play banks I would want to play full rack. You lump 9 ball and 8 ball as though they were similar games. I don't think there is any comparison. I don't care much for 9 ball, but 8 ball is a game almost comparable to straight pool. I hope that 10 ball dislodges 9 ball from its preeminent position but I don't think its going to happen. One pocket is a game that I am just beginning to appreciate. Three cushions is also capturing my interest. Too bad I don't have enough years left to master even one.

Dave Nelson

Certified sub-banger
 
i live here in louisville ky. and banks is alot here but all games is good for you. i use to play just 8 ball and 9 ball but hae found in the last 4 to 5 years that i want to play nothing but 9 ball, banks(short or long) or one pocket. they are great games to play and have made my game go up many levels. plus it helps when you have a hall of famer here too to show you banks and great one pocket players
 
Dave Nelson said:
If I were going to play banks I would want to play full rack. You lump 9 ball and 8 ball as though they were similar games. I don't think there is any comparison. I don't care much for 9 ball, but 8 ball is a game almost comparable to straight pool. I hope that 10 ball dislodges 9 ball from its preeminent position but I don't think its going to happen. One pocket is a game that I am just beginning to appreciate. Three cushions is also capturing my interest. Too bad I don't have enough years left to master even one.

Dave Nelson

Certified sub-banger
Click to expand...

I don't think he was lumping 8 and 9 ball together as being similar...more folks play/practice those two due to the fact that most tourneys are one or the other. I happen to really like 8ball on the box, but really dislike 9ball on the small table. Working thru the clusters and congestion is 8balls appeal to me. 9ball on a 9 footers is a good game, but I'd rather play full-rack banks or 1P on the big table, so I'm really not much of a fan of 9ball at all. :sorry:
 
You may not like hearing this, but Banks is the purest pool game there is. There is virtually NO luck to Banks, maybe 1-2% at the most. Other games may be as much as 10-15% luck (9-Ball for instance).

In Banks, every shot must go in clean, no slop and no kisses. You must call every shot. Even in One Pocket you have many opportunities to get lucky. In a game of Banks, the best player will win, PERIOD! Of course, full rack Banks has a lot of moves to it, but ultimately you must make the shots/banks.
 
things move in cycles

FSutton said:
Hey guys,

So I find myself playing ALOT lately but I only really enjoy playing bank pool full rack and if I have to short rack. My question to you guys is, do you think it's a waste to play and practice all my time just banks? I really don't care for nine ball or eight ball. I enjoy one pocket but I'm not going to bet any serious money on it. Some guys at my room say I will regret it if I don't start with some of the other games. I just wondering what opinions are out that. Seems to me that lots of guys from Louisville and Chicage specialized just in banks and maybe some one pocket.

f
Click to expand...

You will probably move on to something else after awhile but play and practice banks as long as you are in the mood. Another thread asked about the craziest spots. Years ago I routinely spotted friends that were pretty fair bar room players me having to shoot legal combo's and banks, them just playing eight ball. Shooting banks works wonders for your accuracy and speed control, I can't see any way that is bad. If you stay with bank pool from now on that is fine, if you move on to something else you have a nice foundation under your game. Shooting banks on a snooker table was a perversion of mine years ago. I ran 24's(six balls) many times but I don't think I ever bettered that.

Hu
 
I've never really played bank pool, but would like to learn. A couple of quick questions. I don't want to hijack the thread or anything, but figure it's pretty much on point.

1. Which is a more popular game, full rack or short? Which is better for a beginner?
2. What are the best banking drills?
3. Which book should I read first?
4. Has playing bank pool helped your 8 ball, 9 ball and straight pool game a lot?

Thanks for the info.
 
Bank is a great game and really improves your skill at other games.

I am also from Louisville where A LOT of bank pool is played on a regular basis.

Bank pool is a great action game because if you play it well you will trounce people who don't play the game...even if they are a good banker. Full rack is not something especially even a relatively good player can just start playing and do well at in my experience.
 
I first say Bank Pool being played in Anderson Indiana, in 68 in a little room/bar called Johnson's Lunch. lot of GM workers played there off hours, and I was never able to master thes 3-or 4 rail shots. Thought it was a great game.
 
219Dave

I have Freddie the Beard's books and videos. I highly recommend them. The videos are not only educational but they are fun to watch.

Dave Nelson
 
jay helfert said:
You may not like hearing this, but Banks is the purest pool game there is. There is virtually NO luck to Banks, maybe 1-2% at the most. Other games may be as much as 10-15% luck (9-Ball for instance).

In Banks, every shot must go in clean, no slop and no kisses. You must call every shot. Even in One Pocket you have many opportunities to get lucky. In a game of Banks, the best player will win, PERIOD! Of course, full rack Banks has a lot of moves to it, but ultimately you must make the shots/banks.
Click to expand...


You know Jay,

I never thought of it that way. I always thought 14.1 was the purrest, but there is plenty of luck in it, as other games. But Banks is truly skill. Thank you...

Pete
 
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