Can One Pocket Be Learned On A Bar Table

Nature Boy

Nature Boy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I hope this doesn’t start a war, as it is a serious question. Can one learn one pocket playing it exclusively on a bar table? I am starting to develop a real interest in the game, and would love to learn more about but don’t have quite enough room for a big table.

If it makes a difference, I will be getting a Diamond with pro cut pockets.

Thanks in advance, and I hope I don’t start too many fireworks!😁😁
 
You will learn some of the principles and moves and many new things endemic to the cramped conditions.

I call layouts, terrain. There's an analogy of of one hole to guerilla sneak and snipe warfare.
Safeties might be safeties except on a large table, the opposition will be very unlikely to start firing back at you. This may not be the case on a small table. And other obvious notions...
 
Nature Boy said:
I hope this doesn’t start a war, as it is a serious question. Can one learn one pocket playing it exclusively on a bar table? I am starting to develop a real interest in the game, and would love to learn more about but don’t have quite enough room for a big table.

If it makes a difference, I will be getting a Diamond with pro cut pockets.

Thanks in advance, and I hope I don’t start too many fireworks!😁😁
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You'll learn the flicks and nips and how to draw 4 inches

You won't learn the banks and kicks very well, and they really really matter
 
My son only has room for a 7. I taught him the game on a 9 and he is hard to beat now. I have been wanting to try to play on his Diamond, I figure it will be vastly different but we have nothing to lose.
Not the first time this question has been asked here. I think it's worth a try, if I get the chance I will try it soon and report back.
 
One issue is that the "stuck to the Brunswick" safes are not as safe.

I think as mentioned above, it will be a great training ground for all the Chohan-esque shots, like jump-kiss-banks. Hopefully you only try those when appropriate on a big table.
 
Nature Boy said:
I hope this doesn’t start a war, as it is a serious question. Can one learn one pocket playing it exclusively on a bar table? I am starting to develop a real interest in the game, and would love to learn more about but don’t have quite enough room for a big table.

If it makes a difference, I will be getting a Diamond with pro cut pockets.

Thanks in advance, and I hope I don’t start too many fireworks!😁😁
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NO. Next case.
 
I tried with a 7 footer, using 10 balls like suggested earlier. It just wasn't worth it to me. But then again, I find learning 1P without actually playing it very difficult, what drills are there for 1p other than banking balls, for example?
 
Badpenguin said:
I tried with a 7 footer, using 10 balls like suggested earlier. It just wasn't worth it to me. But then again, I find learning 1P without actually playing it very difficult, what drills are there for 1p other than banking balls, for example?
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What I've always done is start with ball in hand and just try running 'em. It's just a drill.

Wrong side break shots which you'd normally pass are particularly challenging but you learn things about sending the rock through rough terrain and into the clear.

Take outs are cool too; especially multiple ball ones. Might be especially useful on a small table but regardless the knowledge gained by setting multiple balls in motion is invaluable.
 
I've been playing a lot of 1 ball one pocket on a bar box with friends and its a blast. Make it a long race, to like 15 and you can get some interesting very fast racks.

Also love playing short rack (9 balls) banks on bar boxes. Anything other than boring 8/9ball!
 
I am keenly interested in this topic!
The place where the Montana State One pocket tournament has eight 7' diamond and four 9' diamond tables, but the vast majority of the tables in the State are bar boxes. I hope to grow the game regionally, but to make it work, there either needs to be new pool halls open around the State with 9 footers or find an adaptation suited to the smaller tables and coin op. While I'd be stoked if a (or multiple) pool hall(s) were to open around the State, I'm more optimistic that the second option can be a thing.
 
Just practicing the L drill is valuable. After that trying to run all 15 balls into one pocket. It should keep you busy for a long time.
 
joninnorfolk said:
I am keenly interested in this topic!
The place where the Montana State One pocket tournament has eight 7' diamond and four 9' diamond tables, but the vast majority of the tables in the State are bar boxes. I hope to grow the game regionally, but to make it work, there either needs to be new pool halls open around the State with 9 footers or find an adaptation suited to the smaller tables and coin op. While I'd be stoked if a (or multiple) pool hall(s) were to open around the State, I'm more optimistic that the second option can be a thing.
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That’s too bad.

When I lived up there in Great Falls there was the Corner Pocket with many 9ft tables and was part of Frank McGowan’s chain (Great Falls, Missoula, and Billlings), TJ’s, also with many 9ft tables and which I believe burned down several years later.

League-wise I played for City Bar downtown and we won truckloads of championships. I also remember winning the Belt Buckle tournament across the river in Black Eagle. I’d also play often at the Red Barn.

Good times, good to hear they’re playing 1pocket now.

Lou Figueroa
 
Not a fan of one pocket but I watched some guys playing 1 ball 1 pocket for cash at the super billiards expo one year that held my interest for a while.
 
dukblowz said:
I've been playing a lot of 1 ball one pocket on a bar box with friends and its a blast. Make it a long race, to like 15 and you can get some interesting very fast racks.

Also love playing short rack (9 balls) banks on bar boxes. Anything other than boring 8/9ball!
Click to expand...
You could also make it 3 ball one pocket — line up 3 balls on the spot and you each need 2. A little more happening than just the one ball! And it’s still genuine end game practice because you often get 3 balls on the door in real games.
 
1pocket said:
You could also make it 3 ball one pocket — line up 3 balls on the spot and you each need 2. A little more happening than just the one ball! And it’s still genuine end game practice because you often get 3 balls on the door in real games.
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i like that game on a big table too,
great end game practice
 
To address the original question, while you can learn some things that apply to one pocket, in my opinion you can't learn one pocket without an opponent. Gonna be tough to find an opponent that knows how to move that will play on a seven foot table.

I already played one pocket when I settled for a seven footer at home. I tried a handful of ways of practicing one pocket and gave it up.

Hu
 
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