Interplay between 8 ball, 9 ball and 14.1?

[219Dave]

From time to time I read comments on here where people write things like "playing a lot of game X hurt me with game Y" or "playing a lot of game X helped me with game Y." I really only play 8-ball, 9-ball and straight pool, although I'd like to learn banks and one pocket at some point down the line.

I'm curious how you guys think about the relationship between the different games. For example, would playing a lot of straight pool help me more in 8 ball or 9 ball? (I'd imagine 8 ball). I know that bank pool and one pocket sort of go hand in hand, etc.

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[Big Perm]

When I was getting a good balance of 9, 8, 14.1, and one pocket, I found one advantage to be that certain common shots from different games that I learned were easily carried over and gave me new options that I would not have used in other games....

On the downside, for some reason, a lot of one-pocket seemed to take a toll on my stroke and carried over to hurt my other games....

I think a good balance and learning all games can only make you better....also, it gives you more options, whether regarding practice, games for fun, or gambling....

 

[219Dave]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard people make similiar comments about One Pocket. What is it about your stroke in One Pocket that can mess you up for other games?


By the way, your quote in your signature is one of my two favorite lines from The Hustler.

 

[sjm]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard people make similiar comments about One Pocket. What is it about your stroke in One Pocket that can mess you up for other games?

I've heard some argue that a game with as many soft hits of the cue ball as one-pocket can cost you your playing rhythm and can divert your attention from maintenance of your fundamentals.

 

[Ralph Kramden]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard people make similiar comments about One Pocket. What is it about your stroke in One Pocket that can mess you up for other games?

Some games are more aggressive than others.
You usually won't shoot as hard playing 1 pocket than in playing rotational games such as 9 ball.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard people make similiar comments about One Pocket. What is it about your stroke in One Pocket that can mess you up for other games?

A lot of people don't devote same attention to their routine when playing safety shots, probably because they feel that a safety requires less accuracy.

As for the original question, each game can act as a drill in itself. 9 ball is great for shotmaking and learning positional routes. 14.1 is excellent for learning pinpoint position play and consistency. I love the One Pocket ghost as a position play drill also, it definitely teaches you to get on the right side of the ball. Bank pool is obvious.

Snooker is another excellent game that can help any pool player. Outside of simply becoming a more accurate potter, you have to learn a lot of little stun and kill shots that are very useful in other games.