First game to learn, why not one-pocket?
- Thread starter hang-the-9
- Start date
There is no greater joy than nailing a 3 railer center pocket and swinging the rock two rails into the stack, breaking out a few more balls and then running 8 and out
Banks
Banned
There is no greater joy than nailing a 3 railer center pocket and swinging the rock two rails into the stack, breaking out a few more balls and then running 8 and out
Banking 5-and-out.
There is no greater joy than nailing a 3 railer center pocket and swinging the rock two rails into the stack, breaking out a few more balls and then running 8 and out
Sure there is. Down 6-4 in a Race to 7 and running a 3 pack for the win.
Watching 2 beginners play one pocket is almost as knowledgable as watching how wet paint drys.
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In the beginning its all about making the ball go in the hole and fast games...so keep it simple. So 8 ball and 9 ball are by far the easiest and most fun for the novice. BUT if you are in a pool room with real tables not those fing bar boxes, then encourage some 14.1 ......and for all you one hole haters....one pocket is like chess, all other pool games are just checkers....if you get into it, you will love it and it will become your game of choice....if you can't learn it, well just play checkers.
I was thinking that a newer player won't know that one pocket is tough unless someone told them. He'll just try to play it and be learning quite a few things along with it. Only time I like one pocket is with my son, but then we have a lot of fun playing it, even though we both end up selling out a ton of times on shots. It's more of a game where you can learn a bit of everything in, including stategy instead of simple ball pocketing.
One thing I do agree with, many people if they don't see things going smoothly for them will quit. If it takes too much work, it ends up not being fun, and they move on to something simpler like video games.
I may try to get some of those guys banging balls around playing one pocket against each other to see if they like it, even playing at a D level. They seemed to be interested in coming back into the pool hall next week, and really paid attention when I was explaing things to them.
As an aside, I don't like one pocket myself, but it does take a lot of the luck factor out of pool that you see in 9 and 10 ball and even 8 ball to an extent.
One thing I do agree with, many people if they don't see things going smoothly for them will quit. If it takes too much work, it ends up not being fun, and they move on to something simpler like video games.
I may try to get some of those guys banging balls around playing one pocket against each other to see if they like it, even playing at a D level. They seemed to be interested in coming back into the pool hall next week, and really paid attention when I was explaing things to them.
As an aside, I don't like one pocket myself, but it does take a lot of the luck factor out of pool that you see in 9 and 10 ball and even 8 ball to an extent.
I tried introducing my nephew to one pocket. He got bored within half an hour and I can't say I blame him. Its slow and dull for someone young or new to the game. I even find it an effort to play and enjoy it. New comers like pocketing balls, so 8 ball and straight pool are the obvious choices.
Old Nine Baller
Banned
That is a very good question and there are several thoughtful insights in this thread in response. Here are mine.
If you are starting with a person who has never played pool at all then it's not a good idea to teach them 1Pocket first because the first thing they want to do is shoot balls into the pocket. They don't want to play safeties. It would be like when Eddy Felson told Vincent that he had to lose even though Vincent knew he could win
.I also don't think 14.1 is a good first game even though it should be 3rd or 4th. Trying to explain to a newbie why the 15th ball stays on the table and the cueball stays where it is will make them get a headache. They want to break a new rack every game, they don't want to play position to break it.
I would say 8 ball, 9 ball and Rotation, 14.1, full rack Bankpool, Snooker, and before they learn 1Pocket they should learn the basics in 3 cushion billiards and a few other of the carom games such as straight rail.
The bottom line with new players of the game is shooting balls into a pocket. They will feel bad doing anything else.
ONB
I don't think this is hard to teach someone at all, but the different racking scenarios when the CB and/or OB are pocketed or in the rack take some getting used to.
Unfortunately, at least in my opinion, I have to agree with this. The open break has become an icon of pool, at least in part to the opening scene of COM, so a lot of new players get really excited about having a fast break. I started off that way too, but now my feelings about an open break waver between indifference when things are going my way to hatred when they aren't. Maybe if you catch them early you can convince them there is a better way... :smile:
There will be a lot of schools of thought but there can be a mind set in OP that may hurt the new player in other games. In a game like say 9-ball there is a certain freedom to the game that lets you stretch out. You may get into trouble and get yourself right out again.
It can be a forgiving game as well that does not require as much precision as many may think. Much like straight pool you are often changing plans as you run out exercising your imagination and learning from your mistakes.
Again you said beginning players. Beginning players also need a game that gives then quick success. Much like learning music the student is given exercises that they can accomplish and build confidence.
Players should learn all games because they all have something to teach us but not to frustrate the beginner. They need to improve quickly or they may lose interest.
There is no law that says they have to become great players. They need to first develop a liking for the game or they will quit and find another interest. Probably one that has quicker rewards for them.
I used to see it all the time. A guy and his girl would come in and the guy in most situations could be a bit of a show off and he "The Guy". In a pool room if he can't play at all there is no way to fake it and he can quickly feel like a fool. From beginner to a somewhat competent player has to be fast or you lose them.
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Kinda like saying try cliff diving before they learn to swim.
You can do it, but i wouldnt recommend it.
You can do it, but i wouldnt recommend it.
One pocket is for old folks like me that can't draw the rock three feet anymore.
Actually it's too complicated for the beginner. One needs to have the skills that the other games will give them.
Games like rotation will let them develop their ball pocketing, imagination, and stroke. and the best game is straight pool that will let them use all the tools and knowledge that are required for a well balanced game.
For the beginner developing a good stroke will not come from playing one pocket. Because of the nature of the game we shy away from shots that are considered normal in most other games. Because playing one pocket we realize that most times there are other options that are simpler and with higher percentages.
In order to play a fair game of one pocket one needs to first have all the skills that are learned from all of those other games. Otherwise they will quickly get bored and or frustrated.
Actually it's too complicated for the beginner. One needs to have the skills that the other games will give them.
Games like rotation will let them develop their ball pocketing, imagination, and stroke. and the best game is straight pool that will let them use all the tools and knowledge that are required for a well balanced game.
For the beginner developing a good stroke will not come from playing one pocket. Because of the nature of the game we shy away from shots that are considered normal in most other games. Because playing one pocket we realize that most times there are other options that are simpler and with higher percentages.
In order to play a fair game of one pocket one needs to first have all the skills that are learned from all of those other games. Otherwise they will quickly get bored and or frustrated.
hang-the-9;4865815 Why not teach one-pocket as the first game? Sure it's not the easiest to play well said:
As Danny Di Liberto said... I am a straight pool player but I play one-pocket now because I miss... Eventually everyone graduates to one-pocket... Just not for the reasons some think LOL
Back in the '70s and '80s I was a pretty good short stop in N.J.
I would play anybody that walked in the room any game.
If their game of choice was one pocket I played it.I have played hundreds of games of one pocket just to get the action.
I still hate it.
You're doing it wrong!
When i first started to play i just wanted to make balls in the hole, not safe play or banks? I'd say you have to crawl before walk, but i do not object to mix and match all the games once a player knows how to shoot'em in the hole as they grow up, certainly 9 or 10 balls is a must for good stroke and position play practice.