I am learning one pocket, please help

NateSchoepf

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi, I would like to pick up some dvd's(instructional) on one pocket, cheap if possible as the guys at the pool hall have got most of my money from trying to learn that way:)

Or if you have a link or something else that would be great to. thanks
 
Go to Gradys website and buy everything he has on one pocket. I did that when I was learning. Gradys stuff along with as many videos of Efrens matches as I could find ramped my game up in a big hurry!

Gerry
 
NateSchoepf said:
Hi, I would like to pick up some dvd's(instructional) on one pocket, cheap if possible as the guys at the pool hall have got most of my money from trying to learn that way:)

Or if you have a link or something else that would be great to. thanks

"Winning One Pocket" & "Shots, Moves & Strategies" are two of the best one pocket books. Both out of print and expensive ($200+ ea) when you can find them on ebay. These books will significantly improve your game. I prefer "Winning One Pocket" and believe that you can not get this type of instruction and information from any other source.

Willie Joplin has a DVD set for under $100 that is readily available. My regular 1P opponent picked up his game at least a ball after buying these. I haven't seen them myself.

Also check out onepocket.org

regards.............Paul Mon
 
go watch some grass grow! that will get you ready to be a one pocket champion! ............boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Earn while you learn.

NateSchoepf said:
Hi, I would like to pick up some dvd's(instructional) on one pocket, cheap if possible as the guys at the pool hall have got most of my money from trying to learn that way:)

Or if you have a link or something else that would be great to. thanks

The following link will take you to an end game instructional video for one pocket. The author has others as well.

http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1081140606

JoeyA (Earn while you learn)
 
In my opinion, I would not even waste my money on Shots, Moves & Strategies unless you can get it cheap!!! A high percentage of the shots they show are complete fliers. There is no way they are repeatable to a decent percentage and more often than not are complete sellouts unless you hit them perfectly and/or the ball are set up perfectly. Sure, Steve Cook pulled this one shot off this ONE time or so and so did this, but there is no way I am going to two rail kick at a ball or one rail kick a ball and slice it down the rail when I can simply bank it two rails or bank safe. That book basically teaches you to sell out 75% of the time or greater. Very disappointed in it myself! Anyone else agree? Don't get me wrong, there are a few good shots in there, but for $150-$200, I would rather gamble that away againt someone who actually knew how to play the game!
 
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true

gutshot said:
In my opinion, I would not even waste my money on Shots, Moves & Strategies unless you can get it cheap!!! A high percentage of the shots they show are complete fliers. There is no way they are repeatable to a decent percentage and more often than not are complete sellouts unless you hit them perfectly and/or the ball are set up perfectly. Sure, Gary Spaeth pulled this one shot off this ONE time or so and so did this, but there is no way I am going to two rail kick at a ball or one rail kick a ball and slice it down the rail when I can simply bank it two rails or bank safe. That book basically teaches you to sell out 75% of the time or greater. Very disappointed in it myself! Anyone else agree? Don't get me wrong, there are a few good shots in there, but for $150-$200, I would rather gamble that away againt someone who actually knew how to play the game!
very true, no better way to learn than to get in the box!
 
instroke75 said:
go watch some grass grow! that will get you ready to be a one pocket champion! ............boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. When my body started flying apart at 63 I no longer could play 9-ball. Mostly the breaking was killing my back, shoulders, and several other parts. When I shook the room owners hand and told him I was retiring he said "why not try 1-pocket". Nobody plays 14.1 anymore around here. I played two games of it and even won one of them but to me it was like watching paint dry. I'm just too hyper for it I guess. Years ago Steve Cook tried to get me interested in it and give me free lessons. I hated it. Johnnyt
 
here is the single best tip I can give free of charge. If at all possible ALWAYS leave your opponent frozen to the head rail. One pocket is very complicated so obviously there are times not to do this but I am telling you from experience that it gets really frustrating having to shoot straight backs while frozen to the rail. One inch makes all the difference (insert tasteless joke here). but it is true. you are welcome
 
Johnnyt said:
Years ago Steve Cook tried to get me interested in it and give me free lessons. I hated it. Johnnyt

Are you kidding me? you didn't take him up on this offer? geez. I like to fire balls in with the best of them but people who say one pocket is boring 1. don't understand the game or 2. do not appreciate games that require intellectual jousting as well as physical competition. Any knucklehead can run a rack of nine ball, but try to out move steve cook. Perfect example - Johnathan hennessee was thrashed in memphis playing james christopher one pocket. Christopher was playing one-handed and giving him 9-6. Hennessee (like most other people that "hate" one pocket) has one move - the 8 & out. try that on for size.
 
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gutshot said:
In my opinion, I would not even waste my money on Shots, Moves & Strategies unless you can get it cheap!!! A high percentage of the shots they show are complete fliers. There is no way they are repeatable to a decent percentage and more often than not are complete sellouts unless you hit them perfectly and/or the ball are set up perfectly. Sure, Steve Cook pulled this one shot off this ONE time or so and so did this, but there is no way I am going to two rail kick at a ball or one rail kick a ball and slice it down the rail when I can simply bank it two rails or bank safe. That book basically teaches you to sell out 75% of the time or greater. Very disappointed in it myself! Anyone else agree? Don't get me wrong, there are a few good shots in there, but for $150-$200, I would rather gamble that away againt someone who actually knew how to play the game!

I somewhat agree. I got a whole lot more out of the first book. But I was fortunate enough to buy both in 1995 for $29 each. In fairness to the book and it's authors they comment on exactly what you pointed out about selling out.
 
Practice, Practice, Practice

If you are an A player or above, you may pick the game up more easily. But if you are a B- or lower, you may know or learn the proper shot and simply not be able to execute it properly.
For good results, try to find someone of your speed to learn and practice with you. Discuss and attempt shots that you've seen in the pool magazines, Winning One Pocket, Accu-Stat tapes and instructional tapes, etc.. When you've watched and read everything that you have, watch and read them AGAIN. You will surely pickup things that you missed the first (or 2nd or 3rd) time around.
Doug
 
gutshot said:
there are a few good shots in there, but for $150-$200, I would rather gamble that away againt someone who actually knew how to play the game!

What is the name and location of your pool room? Oh, yeah what's your name in the pool hall?

This isn't Corey is it? :D
JoeyA
 
reply

HitHrdNDraw said:
Are you kidding me? you didn't take him up on this offer? geez. I like to fire balls in with the best of them but people who say one pocket is boring 1. don't understand the game or 2. do not appreciate games that require intellectual jousting as well as physical competition. Any knucklehead can run a rack of nine ball, but try to out move steve cook. Perfect example - Johnathan hennessee was thrashed in memphis playing james christopher one pocket. Christopher was playing one-handed and giving him 9-6. Hennessee (like most other people that "hate" one pocket) has one move - the 8 & out. try that on for size.
true 9ball is easy, but that doesn't change the fact some of us find one pocket boring, it has nothing to do with understanding or intellect, it is just boring! i am like johnnyt in the fact i personally like straight pool, but to each there own! straight pool requires plenty of intellectual jousting when played at a high level!skill, patience, knowledge of patterns, safety play all required in straight pool, or one pocket, i just personally find it(one pocket)boring! but it does have one good quality, action and lots of it! if you can keep from falling asleep, there is always action!
 
The person who said go find some grass to watch grow may be more correct than he thinks.

LESSON NUMBER ONE ... Don't think of the game as a game of pocketing balls. If you do, you will lose your patience before your opponent, not a winning mindset. If you want to bang balls around, play 9 ball. Think of it as more a mind game of yours vs his. Moves and counter moves. Think more of the game as where the cue ball is going and not so much where the object balls are going.

Patience is the name of the game and putting the concept of pocketing balls out of your head is a good start. Image how frustrating it would be for a three cushion billiard player to be trying to pocket balls, I mean, the table doesn't even have pockets. :)

What I'm trying to say is don't push yourself in that direction. Realize it is a different game all together. A game of moving and trying to keep your opponent on the defense. Baby steps, high percentage plays that whenever possible can do more than one thing. For example, moving a ball very near your pocket is nowhere as good as moving it there (perhaps not as close) but in the process you prevent your opponent the opportunity to knock it away.

Its a wonderful game. Full of thinking, patience, and finesse.

Everyone enjoys different games. This game and 14.1 are my favorite games and to me, 9 ball is way too finite a game that reduces the depth and beauty of what pool is. (as does any game that you don't use the whole set of balls to play) :)
 
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good response

3andstop said:
The person who said go find some grass to watch grow may be more correct than he thinks.

LESSON NUMBER ONE ... Don't think of the game as a game of pocketing balls. If you do, you will lose your patience before your opponent, not a winning mindset. If you want to bang balls around, play 9 ball. Think of it as more a mind game of yours vs his. Moves and counter moves. Think more of the game as where the cue ball is going and not so much where the object balls are going.

Patience is the name of the game and putting the concept of pocketing balls out of your head is a good start. Image how frustrating it would be for a three cushion billiard player to be trying to pocket balls, I mean, the table doesn't even have pockets. :)

What I'm trying to say is don't push yourself in that direction. Realize it is a different game all together. A game of moving and trying to keep your opponent on the defense. Baby steps, high percentage plays that whenever possible can do more than one thing. For example, moving a ball very near your pocket is nowhere as good as moving it there (perhaps not as close) but in the process you prevent your opponent the opportunity to knock it away.

Its a wonderful game. Full of thinking, patience, and finesse.

Everyone enjoys different games. This game and 14.1 are my favorite games and to me, 9 ball is way too finite a game that reduces the depth and beauty of what pool is. (as does any game that you don't use the whole set of balls to play) :)
thats the best defense of one pocket i've ever heard, very well said!
 
You mean foot rail, right?

I guess any rail is good. I like watching good 1-pocket players who always leave their opponent frozen to the rail, or frozen to the stack. I'm just glad I'm not the one playing them!

HitHrdNDraw said:
here is the single best tip I can give free of charge. If at all possible ALWAYS leave your opponent frozen to the head rail. One pocket is very complicated so obviously there are times not to do this but I am telling you from experience that it gets really frustrating having to shoot straight backs while frozen to the rail. One inch makes all the difference (insert tasteless joke here). but it is true. you are welcome
 
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