Decisions, decisions. Oh One Pocket.

Drop The Rock

Drop The Rock

1652nd on AZ Money List
Silver Member
I'm getting to the point where I can run 5-6 balls pretty consistently in one pocket. I bank pretty well and move decent enough. I can play even with guys who used to give me 10-6 when I first started playing. What I'm finding when I lose to most people I play even, is that I'm ahead in the ball count first and give up games. I figure this means two things:
1. I'm playing too aggressive when I already have the lead (decision making) 2. I'm not playing the balls up table when I have the lead (decision making).

Its pretty clear than my defense and moving need more work, as well as patience.

To you other one hole players. Whats your weakness?
 
Drop The Rock said:
I'm getting to the point where I can run 5-6 balls pretty consistently in one pocket. I bank pretty well and move decent enough. I can play even with guys who used to give me 10-6 when I first started playing. What I'm finding when I lose to most people I play even, is that I'm ahead in the ball count first and give up games. I figure this means two things:
1. I'm playing too aggressive when I already have the lead (decision making) 2. I'm not playing the balls up table when I have the lead (decision making).

Its pretty clear than my defense and moving need more work, as well as patience.

To you other one hole players. Whats your weakness?
Click to expand...

Patience.

Ken
 
My weakness..... Biggest flaw for now is concentration. Especially easy shots. Also have learn how to win and not throw the game away..... Sell out for knowingly taking the wrong shot
 
You may be a bit too aggressive which might be making you play a little loose. Like Ken said: "Patience." If you have to make one ball at a time, to win, then so be it.
Also, play the count. If you are ahead 5 to 2, for instance, then you may wish to be a bit more adventurous. If you are down in the count then you may want to tighten up a little until opportunities arise. :smile:
 
Drop The Rock said:
I'm getting to the point where I can run 5-6 balls pretty consistently in one pocket. I bank pretty well and move decent enough. I can play even with guys who used to give me 10-6 when I first started playing. What I'm finding when I lose to most people I play even, is that I'm ahead in the ball count first and give up games. I figure this means two things:
1. I'm playing too aggressive when I already have the lead (decision making) 2. I'm not playing the balls up table when I have the lead (decision making).

Its pretty clear than my defense and moving need more work, as well as patience.

To you other one hole players. Whats your weakness?
Click to expand...

"Don't shoot when you're ahead." - That's something you should think about too, Rock.

That's the best advice I've ever been given, and it's my greatest weakness. I often shoot very well, offensively, when I'm behind in the count, because I have to make them count. When I'm ahead in the count, I sometimes let up and I play wildly.
 
DAVE_M said:
"Don't shoot when you're ahead." - That's something you should think about too, Rock.

That's the best advice I've ever been given, and it's my greatest weakness. I often shoot very well, offensively, when I'm behind in the count, because I have to make them count. When I'm ahead in the count, I sometimes let up and I play wildly.
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Solid point Dave. Solid point.
 
Sometimes I suffer from this....look at me aren't my tail feathers pretty and I can make anything from anywhere.

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My weakness in one pocket is not thinking about every option I'll leave my opponent when playing safeties and my patterns aren't the best when many balls are open.

However, I'm great at going into the stack and putting balls and I'm superb with banking and kicking. But I cannot bank pocket speed so when I do miss a bank shot I usually help my opponent out.
 
Zphix said:
My weakness in one pocket is not thinking about every option I'll leave my opponent when playing safeties and my patterns aren't the best when many balls are open.

However, I'm great at going into the stack and putting balls and I'm superb with banking and kicking. But I cannot bank pocket speed so when I do miss a bank shot I usually help my opponent out.
Click to expand...

Really the solution to these problems is play more one pocket lol!
 
Drop The Rock said:
I'm getting to the point where I can run 5-6 balls pretty consistently in one pocket. I bank pretty well and move decent enough. I can play even with guys who used to give me 10-6 when I first started playing. What I'm finding when I lose to most people I play even, is that I'm ahead in the ball count first and give up games. I figure this means two things:
1. I'm playing too aggressive when I already have the lead (decision making) 2. I'm not playing the balls up table when I have the lead (decision making).

Its pretty clear than my defense and moving need more work, as well as patience.

To you other one hole players. Whats your weakness?
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are on the right track in assessing this problem. Don't stop playing aggressively, but understand that the closer to victory you come, the more you have to lose. Take enough balls out of play to prevent a substantial shift change in either the score or the momentum which will result in causing you great trouble.

Risk verses reward! Learn to evaluate the position of the balls and anticipate better the potential advantages and disadvantages based on the current position. Safeties can be played aggressively too. Strive to get the most out of your inning. Freeze the cue ball to other balls or to a cushion. Protect even that single ball on your side of the table and force your foe to play into your strategy. And read my book!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Playing 'aggressively' doesnt always mean 'shooting' all the time.
You must be aggressive in 1 pocket, but in all areas of the game. Aggressive 'safeties' are a big part of the game.
If you 'quit shooting' when you're ahead, how do you get 8 balls?
One pocket is 3 games in 1: opening game, middle game, and end game.
And within thoses games, play varies based on : your skills, your opponents skills,
and 'the score'( ball count, ahead or behind ).
Good luck
ps
I recommend a new book by an old friend of mine, Tom Wirth.
Email him for how to get a copy
trwirth369@gmail.com
 
Decisions...

I agree about just playing more one pocket... experience is key! If you're ahead 5 or 6,
then be aggressively protecting your lead.

Gunn had it correct.. it's not always about shooting at your hole. I've seen a game lost on the answer shot after the break.
 
Leave the table on your terms.

Make sure that your not trying to get that last ball on a risky shot after you've run those 5. I used to do that when I was. Learning. A guy comes back on you A lot when you shoot that (6th) ball and sell out thinking you're way ahead. Make your 5 and play lock up if the shots not there.
 
ToddW said:
Make sure that your not trying to get that last ball on a risky shot after you've run those 5. I used to do that when I was. Learning. A guy comes back on you A lot when you shoot that (6th) ball and sell out thinking you're way ahead. Make your 5 and play lock up if the shots not there.
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Fantastic advice here. Turning over the table on your terms is huge. I always used to "try for one more" and have given away many a game that I led in when I could have maintained control if I would have been sure about what I was leaving (playing safe)

That and read Tom's book :)
 
Good thread. Lot's of great constructive advice here......especially the posts about "read Tom's" book. Almost every situation we run into is explained in Controlled Aggression. Go into the game thinking ahead.
 
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