Is Such a Thing as A 1pocket Concept?

[lfigueroa]

The only two guys I have watched play 1pkt who looked like they were playing a different game who "knew the concept" are Steve Cook, and Jimmy Fusco. They were monsters, and it is not a "game plan" the "concept" is what is engrained in there games that others do not have. Shannon D for example when he is playing regularly is in my top 5 in the world at 1pkt. IMHO I think Cookie Monster had the concept entrenched in what he accomplished...


Steve Cook is the only guy I've ever paid for pool lessons.

It was several years ago when my wife's mother was suffering through the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and we were making frequent trips to Dayton. I met him on one of our trips, at Airway Billiards, and he gave me his home phone number in case I was ever in town and wanted to play.

He offered lessons at $25 an hour, but if you went for two hours, he'd go three. In all honesty, the lessons weren't much in terms of a formal structure. It was more of an opportunity to play the man -- a bona fide one pocket legend -- and ask him anything I wanted. So I tried to take advantage of the opportunity and pick his brain: why did you choose that shot instead of that one; what would you do here; is it better to go behind the stack, or up table in this situation; how do you hit that shot...

In between games of one pocket and my endless stream of questions, he told me road stories, talked about other players he'd known, and lamented that he'd lost the knack of playing straight pool, "Can't see the patterns anymore." I would say hello to him each year at the US Open One Pocket Tournament, when that event was running up in Kalamazoo, MI, and one year we warmed up, playing for small stakes. He was a soft spoken gentleman who had moved back to Lima, OH (from FL?) to take care of his mother. He was one of the greatest pool players of all time. And when I told my wife that "the Cookie Monster" had passed, she knew who I was speaking of and said, "Oh no. How sad."

Yes, it was.

Lou Figueroa

 

[vagabond]

I'm still trying to figure out who you are. A knocker for sure with the games your trying to make for me. I'm not sure, but I think your the guy who follows the womens tour pretty closely and keeps us up with what's going on there. Nice to see you getting more involved with the men. John Henderson

nearly 13-14 months ago I was at hard times, sacramento.Since I was new u started watching me. When I realized that u were watching me I then strated playing funny-missing the shots,weird shots and all other funny stuff I ususally do when I don`t want anybody to assess my speed.

 

[Slider]

nearly 13-14 months ago I was at hard times, sacramento.Since I was new u started watching me. When I realized that u were watching me I then strated playing funny-missing the shots,weird shots and all other funny stuff I ususally do when I don`t want anybody to assess my speed.

Isn't it a beautiful thing when a thread comes full circle?

 

[1pocket]

As far as me matching up with the Squirrel, who knows what might happen if I show up at Derby City next year. I'm sure we will both be happy if we are even able to be there. I don't know how he got the nickname, but don't the squirrels always go for the nuts. John Henderson

He definitely did not get his name for that reason! You would get a fair game, just as I know you would give him a fair game.

I want a seat for that match, John!

 

[jrhendy]

nearly 13-14 months ago I was at hard times, sacramento.Since I was new u started watching me. When I realized that u were watching me I then strated playing funny-missing the shots,weird shots and all other funny stuff I ususally do when I don`t want anybody to assess my speed.

If you know Jay's and my speed, you have to know that I would have no chance with Jay giving two balls, let alone two and the break. I'm sure I could bet what I want if I gave him a ball, and that might be the game if we ever did play, but I like 9/8 better. We are old friends who respect each other and our games of pool and it is not likely we will ever match up, but who knows.

When you were hiding your speed, were you doing it for a possible match in the future? Might work. Introduce yourself if we cross paths again. John Henderson

 

[jay helfert]

The only two guys I have watched play 1pkt who looked like they were playing a different game who "knew the concept" are Steve Cook, and Jimmy Fusco. They were monsters, and it is not a "game plan" the "concept" is what is engrained in there games that others do not have. Shannon D for example when he is playing regularly is in my top 5 in the world at 1pkt. IMHO I think Cookie Monster had the concept entrenched in what he accomplished...


Steve Cook is the only guy I've ever paid for pool lessons.

It was several years ago when my wife's mother was suffering through the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and we were making frequent trips to Dayton. I met him on one of our trips, at Airway Billiards, and he gave me his home phone number in case I was ever in town and wanted to play.

He offered lessons at $25 an hour, but if you went for two hours, he'd go three. In all honesty, the lessons weren't much in terms of a formal structure. It was more of an opportunity to play the man -- a bona fide one pocket legend -- and ask him anything I wanted. So I tried to take advantage of the opportunity and pick his brain: why did you choose that shot instead of that one; what would you do here; is it better to go behind the stack, or up table in this situation; how do you hit that shot...

In between games of one pocket and my endless stream of questions, he told me road stories, talked about other players he'd known, and lamented that he'd lost the knack of playing straight pool, "Can't see the patterns anymore." I would say hello to him each year at the US Open One Pocket Tournament, when that event was running up in Kalamazoo, MI, and one year we warmed up, playing for small stakes. He was a soft spoken gentleman who had moved back to Lima, OH (from FL?) to take care of his mother. He was one of the greatest pool players of all time. And when I told my wife that "the Cookie Monster" had passed, she knew who I was speaking of and said, "Oh no. How sad."

Yes, it was.

Lou Figueroa

A nicer guy in Pool I've never met. I never heard him raise his voice to anyone. All he ever wanted to do was play pool. He was so quiet and low key, people sometimes forgot he was even in the tournament. Until we got down to the final four and there he was, the Cookie Monster ready for another meal.

Steve played One Pocket in the fashion of the old time greats like Ed Kelly and Jersey Red. They were the biggest influences on him, other than Joey Spaeth from Cincy, who taught Steve all about playing around the pack.

Steve would go down to Cincinnati just to donate a few dollars to Joey, and learn a little more about One Hole. But after a while it was Joey doing the donating. If there is a "concept" to One Pocket, then certainly Steve knew it. He could make some very good players twist in the wind, and make a dash for the rack.

Always nice to see him get recognized.

 

[freddy the beard]

You certainly named two

I have been around serious pool for most of my life, and I know for a fact that there is a concept to one pocket that a lot of great players have no idea about... The only two guys I have watched play 1pkt who looked like they were playing a different game, who "knew the concept" are Steve Cook, and Jimmy Fusco. They were monsters, and it is not a "game plan," the "concept" is what is engrained in their games that others do not have... IMHO I think Cookie Monster had the concept entrenched in what he accomplished... My friend shoots straight as an arrow, moves like a ghost and has beaten champions at 1pkt. I asked him how the match with Cookie Monster went, he told me it was hell, every shot he felt uncomfortable, never felt in control of the game. By the way he finished two games up, but he told me that he didn't want any more and they may have been playing each other, but they were in different galaxies.

Huckster, you landed on two of the doodads of 1pkt, Cook and Fusco. Damn right they knew! As per another member, Ronnie Allen, this is an excerpt from my book, The GosPool: The most telling description I have heard regarding Ronnie's One Pocket game came from top player, Bill Incardona, who is also the voice of the Accu-Stat Pool Videos. When Bill was asked to rate Ronnie's game against One-Hole champion, Allen Hopkins of NJ, Billy gave this account: "I played Hopkins for $1000 a game in his basement in Jersey. He spotted me 10 to 8. Even though we were in his house, and he is a great player, his game is very conservative and predictable. I was totally comfortable and relaxed, and was able to play my game, which allowed me to beat him. I later played Ronnie in Las Vegas, in my pool room, on my tables, for the same bet, and with the same spot, 10 to 8. The difference was when I played Ronnie, the whole time I felt like I was in a very hot oven. I never had a clue as to what Ronnie was going to do next.
Different Galaxies?

the Beard

 

[ShootingArts]

perhaps this is the concept!

The difference was when I played Ronnie, the whole time I felt like I was in a very hot oven. I never had a clue as to what Ronnie was going to do next.[/I]
Different Galaxies?

the Beard

Perhaps the concept is chaos? I beat a chess player for years that was by any reasonable reckoning my better by several levels using this principle. I was playing three to five moves ahead at best while I knew that he was playing more like seven moves ahead for any reasonable option. I made a point of doing something unreasonable every four to six moves just to keep him off balance.

Hu

 

[lfigueroa]

Huckster, you landed on two of the doodads of 1pkt, Cook and Fusco. Damn right they knew! As per another member, Ronnie Allen, this is an excerpt from my book, The GosPool: The most telling description I have heard regarding Ronnie's One Pocket game came from top player, Bill Incardona, who is also the voice of the Accu-Stat Pool Videos. When Bill was asked to rate Ronnie's game against One-Hole champion, Allen Hopkins of NJ, Billy gave this account: "I played Hopkins for $1000 a game in his basement in Jersey. He spotted me 10 to 8. Even though we were in his house, and he is a great player, his game is very conservative and predictable. I was totally comfortable and relaxed, and was able to play my game, which allowed me to beat him. I later played Ronnie in Las Vegas, in my pool room, on my tables, for the same bet, and with the same spot, 10 to 8. The difference was when I played Ronnie, the whole time I felt like I was in a very hot oven. I never had a clue as to what Ronnie was going to do next.
Different Galaxies?

the Beard

wow. I could be wrong, but I don't think Billy said this about Ronnie Allen.

If I remember correctly it was *Efren* Billy was talking about when he said he felt like he was in a hot oven. He says this whole quote at the beginning of his 1pocket tape, "A Common Sense Approach to One-Pocket" IIRC.

It's been several years since I saw the tape so, like I said, I could be wrong. It was just such a remarkable comment that it made an impression.

Lou Figueroa

 

[freddy the beard]

contrarian

wow. I could be wrong, but I don't think Billy said this about Ronnie Allen.

If I remember correctly it was *Efren* Billy was talking about when he said he felt like he was in a hot oven. He says this whole quote at the beginning of his 1pocket tape, "A Common Sense Approach to One-Pocket" IIRC.

It's been several years since I saw the tape so, like I said, I could be wrong. It was just such a remarkable comment that it made an impression.

Lou Figueroa

Lou, can I say anything without you taking issue with it? Since I can call Billy up and get him to send me thousands if I ask for it, this aint second hand information. As a matter of fact, Billy liked to tell this often. It was one of his "pet" stories. His Efren story was getting the 8 and the break on a new cloth, making a ball on the break 92% of the time and still only breaking even!

the Beard

 

[Williebetmore]

Lou, can I say anything without you taking issue with it?
the Beard

FTB,
Just a note; I heard Billy Incardona tell that story on an Accu-Stats tape. I, like Lou, recall it being in regards to Efren. Maybe he uses the story for entertainment purposes, or maybe he has felt that way more than once. It is a damn funny anecdote.

 

[freddy the beard]

He updated

FTB,
Just a note; I heard Billy Incardona tell that story on an Accu-Stats tape. I, like Lou, recall it being in regards to Efren. Maybe he uses the story for entertainment purposes, or maybe he has felt that way more than once. It is a damn funny anecdote.

Billy told that story at least 15 years ago. You can date the story according to the comparison he makes to Ronnie and Hopkins playing even. He infers that Ronnie and Hopkins were considered even. Its been at least 15 years since Ronnie and Hopkins were rated #1. That rascal Billy probably updated the story to cater to the new regime. I apologize Lou, but I did tell the ORIGINAL story.

the Beard

 

[lfigueroa]

Lou, can I say anything without you taking issue with it? Since I can call Billy up and get him to send me thousands if I ask for it, this aint second hand information. As a matter of fact, Billy liked to tell this often. It was one of his "pet" stories. His Efren story was getting the 8 and the break on a new cloth, making a ball on the break 92% of the time and still only breaking even!

the Beard

Now Beard, don't start getting a 'tude on me

I love most of your stuff and, in fact, went up to you personally at the DCC a few years back. I told Lav (RS) I wanted to meet you and he introduced us. I told you I loved your Accu-Stats commentary and got anything with your name on it. You said something like, "Yeah, well, go tell Pat."

As to whether it was Ronnie or Efren in the story, I gotta ask: have you seen Cardone's tape? Because I'm real close to being a 100% on this...

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Lou, can I say anything without you taking issue with it? Since I can call Billy up and get him to send me thousands if I ask for it, this aint second hand information. As a matter of fact, Billy liked to tell this often. It was one of his "pet" stories. His Efren story was getting the 8 and the break on a new cloth, making a ball on the break 92% of the time and still only breaking even!

the Beard

Now Beard, don't start getting a 'tude on me

I love most of your stuff and, in fact, went up to you personally at the DCC a few years back. I told Lav (RS), a good friend, I wanted to meet you and he introduced us. I told you I loved your Accu-Stats commentary and got anything with your name on it. You said something like, "Yeah, well, go tell Pat."

As to whether it was Ronnie or Efren in the story, I gotta ask: have you seen Cardone's tape? Because I'm real close to being a 100% on this...

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Billy told that story at least 15 years ago. You can date the story according to the comparison he makes to Ronnie and Hopkins playing even. He infers that Ronnie and Hopkins were considered even. Its been at least 15 years since Ronnie and Hopkins were rated #1. That rascal Billy probably updated the story to cater to the new regime. I apologize Lou, but I did tell the ORIGINAL story.

the Beard

Apology accepted, Freddy ;-)

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

FTB,
Just a note; I heard Billy Incardona tell that story on an Accu-Stats tape. I, like Lou, recall it being in regards to Efren. Maybe he uses the story for entertainment purposes, or maybe he has felt that way more than once. It is a damn funny anecdote.

WBM, it is a funny story, because it captures -- perfectly -- how you can feel against different players. Sometimes, in an established game, you can feel perfectly comfortable. You've seen the other guy's moves so often, you know exactly what he's likely to do. No surprises, no heat. But other guys, it's like, "Oh God, what' he going to do to me next." And the oven is on broil

Lou Figueroa