Numbering Pockets

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
In other sports location of scoring matters.

However pool has never adopted a numbering system for the pockets.

Why is having a numbering system for the pockets important? Maybe it could create new and different games.

In Ice Hockey there are five locations to score through and each shot requires a different skill.

However because pool does not number the pockets, they just use side and corner, it confuses people. After learning how 14.1 is played, the rear two pockets are more accessible for pocketing and frequently shot towards, those areas is over represented in the data, people like to poke the back pockets in 14.1 more than any other game.

This interests me for analysis on balls pocketed. I am interested in discussing the most common situations that come up for newbies and leave local hustlers looking like pool gods.
 
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In other sports location of scoring matters.

However pool has never adopted a numbering system for the pockets.

Why is having a numbering system for the pockets important? Maybe it could create new and different games.

In Ice Hockey there are five locations to score through and each shot requires a different skill.

However because pool does not number the pockets, they just use side and corner, it confuses people. After learning how 14.1 is played, the rear two pockets are more accessible for pocketing and frequently shot towards, those areas is over represented in the data, people like to poke the back pockets in 14.1 more than any other game.

This interests me for analysis on balls pocketed. I am interested in discussing the most common situations that come up for newbies and leave local hustlers looking like pool gods.

I thought ice hockey had only 1 location to score, in the net, is that not true??
 
I thought ice hockey had only 1 location to score, in the net, is that not true??

5 hole between legs above or below stick

1 and 2 are top corners

3 and 4 are bottom corners.

players know how to aim for those areas.

in pool I had no clue in my first 14.1 match that the rear two pockets desirable to use.

in ice hockey, you get told.

The pressure in pool to know standard competitive info is not easy to figure out without a coach or good film. There is nothing to study other than aiming systems.
 
I would say for most skilled 14.1 players, in an average rack, they’ll make one ball in each of the side pockets and each of the corner pockets at the head of the table, and five balls in each of the two corner pockets at the foot of the table where the balls are racked.
 
"Side and corner" confuses people???

Really?? Who, exactly, does that confuse?

We're talking someone with an IQ of a doorknob.

Pool tables have a LEFT, RIGHT, TOP & BOTTOM. So "bottom left" pocket is not open for interpretation. There's only one bottom left or top right, or left side.

Seriously, if someone is that dumb, numbering pockets won't help. They'll forget what comes after 3, and will never remember whether you count clockwise or counter-clockwise. Assuming they know the difference.

No, numbering pockets will not remove the stigma that we have developed and reinforced over the past 6 decades.

We don't need new games to attract players, we need a new culture.

Almost weekly someone asks "I fouled but my opponent didn't see it, should I tell him?"

Numbering pockets won't fix that....

-von
 
the first time I played pool outside of my home

i had that problem. I randomly assigned pockets in my mind when shooting.

I thought each shot was like playing horse, put a decent display of technical skill.

I was wrong. I now know keeping a run is more important than pocketing low percentage shots.

Before the pool room i only played from the diagrammed shot library.

it was very embarrassing. I still need to work on getting a cue, people frown on house cue usage for some reason.




"Side and corner" confuses people???

Really?? Who, exactly, does that confuse?

We're talking someone with an IQ of a doorknob.

Pool tables have a LEFT, RIGHT, TOP & BOTTOM. So "bottom left" pocket is not open for interpretation. There's only one bottom left or top right, or left side.

Seriously, if someone is that dumb, numbering pockets won't help. They'll forget what comes after 3, and will never remember whether you count clockwise or counter-clockwise. Assuming they know the difference.

No, numbering pockets will not remove the stigma that we have developed and reinforced over the past 6 decades.

We don't need new games to attract players, we need a new culture.

Almost weekly someone asks "I fouled but my opponent didn't see it, should I tell him?"

Numbering pockets won't fix that....

-von
 
Interesting issue. When a player is required to call his pocket, he never specifies more than “corner” or “side”, since any missed ball that ‘slops’ in where the target pocket wasn’t obvious would never be honored by any opponent.
 
Interesting issue. When a player is required to call his pocket, he never specifies more than “corner” or “side”, since any missed ball that ‘slops’ in where the target pocket wasn’t obvious would never be honored by any opponent.




Do you want the side with a bank or a combo?


its ok if you dont think its funny.
 
Justnum.......haven’t you ever played the game of golf?

The pockets are already referenced by numbers 1 thru 6.
 
By the way, there are countless books written on strategy for the various games of pocket billiards.
The information available is so copious and bountiful you could read for the rest of your life about pool.
 
Interesting issue. When a player is required to call his pocket, he never specifies more than “corner” or “side”, since any missed ball that ‘slops’ in where the target pocket wasn’t obvious would never be honored by any opponent.

Our billiards culture is different. The shooter makes that decision just as he is expected to call fouls on himself. If he called a corner pocket, he decides which one he meant. It’s called good sportsmanship. We don’t question another player’s integrity during a game.

A poor sportsman or argumentative individual will just not be playing again.
 
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Since no one is buying the numbered pockets.

How about a mechanical masse bridge?

Masse shots are fun, but an air bridge takes a long time to get ok with. In the beginning I never wanted to cue the cloth. But after awhile the risk goes to zero, because of good technique.

However when I am trying to gain EXP a mechanical bridge for masse shots would be nice. The problem is the cue is tapered. I can't just put it on a rail system and fire.

For my personal time on the table I enjoy seeing many types of masse.
 
Our billiards culture is different. The shooter makes that decision just as he is expected to call fouls on himself. If he called a corner pocket, he decides which one he meant. It’s called good sportsmanship. We don’t question another player’s integrity during a game.

A poor sportsman or argumentative individual will just not be playing again.

I agree. Though the rules of 14.1 technically require calling your pocket, no one ever bothers to, unless the shot isn’t obvious. In historic films of refereed matches, the ref always does the actual calling, and the shooter must correct him before he shoots if his intention is otherwise. Myself, I always specify my intent though on any combo or bank, no matter how obvious (why risk any misunderstanding that could engender suspicion?).

Here is an interesting twist though: Slop IS allowed in straight pool. While it might well start a fight in most barroom games, if I shoot exceptionally hard (moving Whitey around for position) and the ball misses my intended pocket initially, but 3-rails into in anyway, I am never too embarrassed to not take the point and continue shooting. Rules are rules, after all!
 
I have actually named each pocket. Not really printable names.

I tried to PM you but the mailbox is full.

Let's go over that list of names it sounds interesting, I like calling the back two pockets,
anchor pockets because having the angle nearby its easier to manage distasnce.

Anchor pockets doesn't sound exciting but in provides technical information. Anchor meaning keep the cue nearby.

I wanted to go a different direction about the names but, it is better for the PM.
 
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