One pocket questions

[predator]

Scenario:
I have 8balls in my pocket, my opponent 7 in his. Both of us have made three fouls, so the score is 5-4 in my favour. No balls are on the table, it is my turn.

I know I have to spot several balls at once, but how many exactly? My logic tells me since we both have 9 points combined, 6 balls should be pulled out so that we have 15 points combined possible, just like at the start.
Or do I pull all 8 balls that are in my pocket and line them up on the foot spot and below?

And the break...is there any way to play offensive and try to make a ball in your pocket?

Need to learn this game. I think it would help me, but boy do I suck at it...tons and tons of knowledge required. Also want to impress some players who think they are great tacticians, but have never heard of One Pocket...

 

[Bob Jewett]

Scenario:
I have 8balls in my pocket, my opponent 7 in his. Both of us have made three fouls, so the score is 5-4 in my favour. No balls are on the table, it is my turn.
...

This never happens to that extent. You spot an owed ball at the end the turn when you score the ball. You don't wait until all the balls are off the table. Sometimes a player will clear the table and still need a ball or two because he owed some or because he pocketed a ball in a neutral pocket. All balls that need to spot are spotted as soon as the table is cleared.

 

[desert1pocket]

As Bob said, this could never happen because all owed balls are spotted at the end of the inning of the foul, or the end of the first inning the player has any to spot. As far as an offensive break, the standard break can sometimes pocket a ball if hit right, but it is not realy the goal. I have seen players try to use an 8 ball type break to try and make one and run out, but if you don't make one in your hole, you most likely won't get another chance to the table. The complete rules, the standard break, and some other shots are shown on onepocket.org.

 

[1pocket]

What Bob said, and desert1...

9.2 Any penalty balls owed by the shooter, or balls pocketed in a neutral pocket, are to be spotted at the end of the shooter’s inning. However, if a player runs off all the balls on the table without reaching a winning score, then all such balls are spotted immediately (all at once, not one ball at a time), and the shooter continues their inning. At no other time in One Pocket are balls spotted during any shooter’s ongoing inning.

The complete rules can be found here:
http://onepocket.org/one_pocket_pool_rules.htm

I understand that there is a bit of a growing interest in One Pocket in Europe...

 

[predator]

Oh boy! I've played it all wrong! Thanks to all for clarifying.

Oh, I don't think this game will ever be played in Europe as much as 8ball, 9ball or even 14.1. Shame, don't you think? It would certainly add another dimension to pool. Strange how One Pocket is popular in US were people supposedly only like fast action games like 9ball. Possibly because it is absolutely ideal for gambling?

 

[Bob Jewett]

... this could never happen because all owed balls are spotted at the end of the inning of the foul, or the end of the first inning the player has any to spot. ....

Since I love to pick nits.... The situation described is in fact possible, just very, very unlikely. Both players take three fouls at the start of the game. The shooter then starts a run but knocks nearly as many balls into his opponent's pocket as his own during the run. He clears the table while making 8 for himself and 7 for his opponent. (Note that he made a ball in his own pocket on each shot but also frequently made a ball or two in his opponent's pocket -- bad luck.) When the table is cleared, all six owed balls are spotted.

You should never say "never" about pool situations. I was careful in my response above to equivocate on the "never" part. I think it would be fair to say that it has never happened up to now, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[desert1pocket]

Since I love to pick nits.... The situation described is in fact possible, just very, very unlikely. Both players take three fouls at the start of the game. The shooter then starts a run but knocks nearly as many balls into his opponent's pocket as his own during the run. He clears the table while making 8 for himself and 7 for his opponent. (Note that he made a ball in his own pocket on each shot but also frequently made a ball or two in his opponent's pocket -- bad luck.) When the table is cleared, all six owed balls are spotted.

You should never say "never" about pool situations. I was careful in my response above to equivocate on the "never" part. I think it would be fair to say that it has never happened up to now, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Quite right Bob, I hereby retract my never.