One Pocket Helps?

mapman72

mapman72

New member
I play mostly 9 ball and 8 ball but I'm starting to get into one pocket a bit. I have heard stories of several people who were good 8 and 9 ball players who, after taking the time to really learn one pocket, became great 8 and 9 ball players. It seems funny to me that learning to play good one pocket can really elevate your 9 ball game, but I know I am not the leading expert on this topic. Seeing Brandon Shuff's good showing at the US Open One Pocket and US Open 9 ball may suggest a link as well. I noticed Brandon starting to get into one pocket several months ago (when we played even 9 ball) and now he's knocking off pros consistently in 9 ball tournaments (e.g., Jeremy Jones, Larry Nevel, Santos, etc.). I also find it hard to believe that it's a coincidence that players such as Gabe Owen, Shannon Daulton, and Jose Parica excell at both games. So, my questions to the group are:

1. How does learning one pocket improve your ability to play other games like 8 ball and 9 ball? Generally, and specifically.

2. Also, if someone only has the desire to become a good 8 or 9 ball player, should they invest the time to learn one pocket or just continue to work on the 8 and 9 ball game?

3. Finally, of the top one pocket/9 ball players, which game do you believe they mastered first?

I'm especially looking for answers from the one pocket specialists on the site. Thanks.
 
1) You learn how to control the cueball.

2) See #1

3) I would venture to say that virtually no player, professional or not, began playing pool by playing one pocket.

The majority of the top American 9-ball players play jam-up one pocket (Earl and Archer are exceptions, not the rule). eg, Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Rodney Morris, Corey Deuel, Danny Basavich, Gabe Owen, jeremy Jones, etc, etc.
 
mapman72 said:
I play mostly 9 ball and 8 ball but I'm starting to get into one pocket a bit. I have heard stories of several people who were good 8 and 9 ball players who, after taking the time to really learn one pocket, became great 8 and 9 ball players. It seems funny to me that learning to play good one pocket can really elevate your 9 ball game, but I know I am not the leading expert on this topic. Seeing Brandon Shuff's good showing at the US Open One Pocket and US Open 9 ball may suggest a link as well. I noticed Brandon starting to get into one pocket several months ago (when we played even 9 ball) and now he's knocking off pros consistently in 9 ball tournaments (e.g., Jeremy Jones, Larry Nevel, Santos, etc.). I also find it hard to believe that it's a coincidence that players such as Gabe Owen, Shannon Daulton, and Jose Parica excell at both games. So, my questions to the group are:

1. How does learning one pocket improve your ability to play other games like 8 ball and 9 ball? Generally, and specifically.

2. Also, if someone only has the desire to become a good 8 or 9 ball player, should they invest the time to learn one pocket or just continue to work on the 8 and 9 ball game?

3. Finally, of the top one pocket/9 ball players, which game do you believe they mastered first?

I'm especially looking for answers from the one pocket specialists on the site. Thanks.
Click to expand...

1. Generally, one pocket is a very creative game. There are shots in one pocket that will not occur in any other game. Also, in order to play one pocket well a player must have an ability to accurately asses risks and rewards. Included in this assesment is a continuing evalution of what you are capable of performing on the table and with what consistency that performance will be realized.

Specifically, one pocket will improve your banking, knowledge of collisions (or knowledge of "the stack", and it will allow you to see and execute new safeties (here is where the creativity of a one pocket player is particularly useful).

2. I think that my 9-ball game does more to improve my one pocket game then the other way around. I think this because, 9-ball is a crucible for learning to execute. If you are playing a good 9-ball player and you miss, you may not come to the table for multiple racks. In one pocket, there is more of a chance to get to the table and make an attempt at mitigating damage from mistakes. Thus, is it necessary for a good nine-ball player to be a good one pocket player--not in my opinion, but it can't hurt.

3. I think the top players probably mastered 9-ball first for a couple reasons. First, 9-ball is more widely played and so they probably started playing 9-ball and for that reason alone may have mastered it first. Second, because execution is so important in 9-ball, one who is physically gifted but stupid can overcome their knowledge deficit with skill. However, in one pocket if a knowledge deficit is sufficiently large, then this deficit can be fatal.

I hope this helps.

kollegedave
 
I play alot of 1-pocket, and I can honestly say, you can learn a TON about the game from videos like Accu-stats, and Grady's!...here are a few of the commandments I follow when playing 1-pocket

> Never shoot a shot you can lose with, but can't win with.

> Always know the score!, it determines what kind of shots you might select.

>If your faced with a tough shot AND an equally tough safety, shoot, it gives you a chance to win the game.

> When faced with a very tough situation, do something simple.

> Always shoot the easy banks. Forget the other guys pocket, and concentrate.

Good luck.....Gerry
 
I think most folks follow the same path: some 8ball, then some 9ball, maybe some 14.1, and then perhaps 1pocket and 3C. But you’ll learn things at 1pocket that you won’t learn playing any other game.

Like playing position on a ball in a manner you’d never use at another game, where you could choose the pocket you want to shoot it in; laying down very precise cue ball control for safeties; banks in general, both at high speed and pocket speed and using english to twist the object ball off a rail; knowledge of the stack and some 1pocket specific kicks and caroms; and you’ll generally develop a higher level of creativity and strategy than you might otherwise, playing other games.

I’ve played many players who would smoke me at 9ball, but that I can easily handle at 1pocket, simply because of having played the game more than they and having a wider repertoire of shots and a deeper strategic knowledge specific to 1pocket.

In my experience, one of the things about pool is how important it is to cross-train. Playing 9ball and especially 14.1 will make you a better 1pocket player and vice versa. (You can even throw in a little 3C.) Playing all the games will give you a bigger and badder tool box than the other guy and the skills you learn at one, will be of critical use in another.

I can’t count the number of times familiarity with a 1pocket bank or safety or odd position play has saved my cookies in a 9ball game.

Play them all. You’ll step up and see the table with deeper insight and far more options than the player who just specializes.

Lou Figueroa



mapman72 said:
I play mostly 9 ball and 8 ball but I'm starting to get into one pocket a bit. I have heard stories of several people who were good 8 and 9 ball players who, after taking the time to really learn one pocket, became great 8 and 9 ball players. It seems funny to me that learning to play good one pocket can really elevate your 9 ball game, but I know I am not the leading expert on this topic. Seeing Brandon Shuff's good showing at the US Open One Pocket and US Open 9 ball may suggest a link as well. I noticed Brandon starting to get into one pocket several months ago (when we played even 9 ball) and now he's knocking off pros consistently in 9 ball tournaments (e.g., Jeremy Jones, Larry Nevel, Santos, etc.). I also find it hard to believe that it's a coincidence that players such as Gabe Owen, Shannon Daulton, and Jose Parica excell at both games. So, my questions to the group are:

1. How does learning one pocket improve your ability to play other games like 8 ball and 9 ball? Generally, and specifically.

2. Also, if someone only has the desire to become a good 8 or 9 ball player, should they invest the time to learn one pocket or just continue to work on the 8 and 9 ball game?

3. Finally, of the top one pocket/9 ball players, which game do you believe they mastered first?

I'm especially looking for answers from the one pocket specialists on the site. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
mapman72 said:
1. How does learning one pocket improve your ability to play other games like 8 ball and 9 ball? Generally, and specifically.

2. Also, if someone only has the desire to become a good 8 or 9 ball player, should they invest the time to learn one pocket or just continue to work on the 8 and 9 ball game?

3. Finally, of the top one pocket/9 ball players, which game do you believe they mastered first?

I'm especially looking for answers from the one pocket specialists on the site. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Great Post.... I'm no master of 1-P but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night and have a couple opinions.
question #1 - A few have already touched on the this but the creativity factor is certain. Cue ball control (also mentioned) big plus. 9-ball in many instances requires a powerfull stroke. With that, I think a lot of 9-ball players lose the finesse aspect because they are constantly forcing the cueball up and down the table. Watch players like Keith McCready or Reyes with a bunch of one-pocket experience. Great mix of finesse and power which I have always felt comes from mastering all games.

question #2 - pretty much the same answer as #1

question #3 - short racks game / 8 & 9-ball
 
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