How to learn One Pocket

Tennesseejoe

Tennesseejoe

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Let me start by saying One Pocket is a great game, especially after you learn it a little. Books, videos, watching, discussing. etc. are good. But here is the way to speed up the process. Play partners One Pocket with better players and allow coaching by your partner. Just try not to slow the game too much.
 
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another way is take video lessons from tom wirth
author
one pocket ...a game controlled aggression

Take Control In One Pocket

Jul 27, 2021 Add bookmark #1 The definitive book on One Pocket; Still going strong!!! One Pocket: A Game of Controlled Aggression. Endorsed by the voice of Accu-Stats Billy Incardona, Shannon Daulton, and, Scott the "Freezer" Frost, all Hall Of Fame Players Reviews are ALL five star rating. I...
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Tom Wirth

A One pocket pool dedicated web site - one pocket pool rules, events, store, message board and more.
onepocket.org
 
Trying to learn one pocket I watched quite a few videos of top players.
After awhile I realized that a lot of what they do is beyond my skill level,primarily kicking 2 or 3 rails.
Better off watching lower level but still good players play the game to see how they get out of traps.
 
The books mentioned in the thread previously are a good start.

I'd say to try to watch diverse play styles. Watch some older matches where the old guys play really conservatively, watch matches with modern pros for more run out style play. Also watch anything Tony Chohan. He has a very unique playstyle and it's great fun to watch. Tony is great at banks and such, he usually does really well in the chip on the rail style games they have at some pro events.

Also the book Winning One Pocket is good to read. It's long out of print and very expensive, but there is a pdf version floating around online. I won't post it here as I don't know if it's against the rules to do so, but it is there. I wish they did a re-print of it, I'd buy it for $100 if they did just to have a physical version.

Finding someone at the pool hall to play with would also be great as was mentioned. I wish I could do this, but the hall is an hour away and I know no one there. Nobody here except my friends and I play it.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Let me start by saying One Pocket is a great game, especially after you learn it a little. Books, videos, watching, discussing. etc. are good. But here is the way to speed up the process. Play partners One Pocket with better players and allow coaching by your partner. Just try not to slow the game too much.
Click to expand...
Playing "Captains" is a nice way to play with 2 other players who are better and it teaches many lessons! Everyone takes a turn being Captain, while the other 2 get to be partners.

TFT
 
I was fortunate enough to play a week with Buddy Hall getting just enough of a spot to not lose every game for 25 a game. At the end of the week I think was around 350 loser but Buddy taught me a ton along the way and that money I spent that week paid huge dividends playing others my speed for 100-300 a game.

I also would play Cliff even for 20 a game every time he came to town, I found it was better to lose 100-200 to him and learn something rather than loan him the money to likely never get it back. ;););)
 
measureman said:
Trying to learn one pocket I watched quite a few videos of top players.
After awhile I realized that a lot of what they do is beyond my skill level,primarily kicking 2 or 3 rails.
Better off watching lower level but still good players play the game to see how they get out of traps.
Click to expand...
Multiple rail kicks and Multiple rail banks thin out the 14.1ers😉
MM you play well enough to learn some of the simple 2 and 3 rail kicks. I spent a few minutes everyday I am at the table kicking at balls and or 2,3 ,4 and 5 rail banks. I wish the table was was faster so I could go 6 + but it's not to be.
Playing 8ball my buddies girlfriend ,who barely speaks English and doesn't play pool , said " no Mike no too hard no" when I called a long rail endrail bank into the opposite side pocket. I missed and she said "baby,it's too hard ". After the game I shot it 1 more time and drilled it. Then she said "good Mike you take our money".
 
I believe Fedor Gorst might have an answer to that question 😉 Seriously, I'm stunned how fast he progressed in 1P.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Let me start by saying One Pocket is a great game, especially after you learn it a little. Books, videos, watching, discussing. etc. are good. But here is the way to speed up the process. Play partners One Pocket with better players and allow coaching by your partner. Just try not to slow the game too much.
Click to expand...
One on one lessons. Partners 1p with advising/coaching gets insane. Especially if your partner needs lessons. Are you a player or learning. Is your thread “How To” a question or statement. What stage or level are you at this point. Rate yourself.
 
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measureman said:
Trying to learn one pocket I watched quite a few videos of top players.
After awhile I realized that a lot of what they do is beyond my skill level,primarily kicking 2 or 3 rails.
Better off watching lower level but still good players play the game to see how they get out of traps.
Click to expand...
Pov pool has good one pocket videos played by less than pro speed players.
 
Thecoats said:
I was fortunate enough to play a week with Buddy Hall getting just enough of a spot to not lose every game for 25 a game. At the end of the week I think was around 350 loser but Buddy taught me a ton along the way and that money I spent that week paid huge dividends playing others my speed for 100-300 a game.

I also would play Cliff even for 20 a game every time he came to town, I found it was better to lose 100-200 to him and learn something rather than loan him the money to likely never get it back. ;););)
Click to expand...
I Love Cliff we have been Friends for a long time..., there are no lones with my Buddy, there gifts! I just wanted to correct your statement that way if you run into him again you can continue your contributions. I'm taking him to dinner soon I think he's going to take care of the tip!
 
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First thing I did was learn to run balls in one hole. Played old timers and learned some general defensive concepts - (the stack is your friend, how to not sell out, what to do with balls you can move, blah blah) I play what I call dumb pocket. Satisfying enough for me.
 
King T said:
I Love Cliff we have been Friends for a long time..., there are no lones with my Buddy, there gifts! I just wanted to correct your statement that way if you run into him again you can continue your contributions. I'm taking him to dinner soon I think he's going to take care of the tip!
Click to expand...
It was so fun watching Cliff out run the nuts in the 1990s when he would come to Oklahoma City.
 
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