One pocket. What’s the play?

[Bob Farr]

Bank the 4. Kill the cue ball as best you can.

What Bob said. Make sure you draw or stun the CB close to the left long rail.

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

Which shots are those? From where I think I will leave the cue ball when banking the 4, you can't see the 6 -- it is blocked by the 11. Maybe you can bank the 11, but it looks to me like you have to cut it to the left meaning you are going into the stack or staying on the wrong side of the stack.

I was going off memory and thought the 14 was a bit farther up the table or the 2 was down farther. I was thinking the 2 was a better cut to get the cb down. At which point a hung 4 would’ve been bad. Hung 4 gives you 2 off rail, knocks in 4 and if hit with correct speed slides across and gets pocketed or sits by pocket with good options after. But after looking better I retract my bet!

All in all that 4 bank angle isn’t doing it for me.

 

[336Robin]

I learned to play one pocket by getting robbed at $10 a game from a much better player who was giving me 9-7.
I did win a game or two but always came out on the short end $20 or $30 a session.
I play pretty good but knew nothing about one pocket at that time.
So a couple $100 later I finally learned at least the basics.
And a lot of time watching better one pocket players and remembering their moves at certain critical times in the game such as we are talking about now.
Got to pay your dues.

I had a similar experience. It was like there was something I wasn't getting so I played a local road player $20 a game every week until he beat me out of $60 each time. About $300 into that I saw the light. lol

 

[Poolplaya9]

What Bob said. Make sure you draw or stun the CB close to the left long rail.

Assuming that 9-10 isn't wired, I am also banking that 4 ball. I see almost zero risk for selling out, but unlike playing safe off the 5 ball it is advancing my position in the game whether I make it or not.

 

[Island Drive]

I was going off memory and thought the 14 was a bit farther up the table or the 2 was down farther. I was thinking the 2 was a better cut to get the cb down. At which point a hung 4 would’ve been bad. Hung 4 gives you 2 off rail, knocks in 4 and if hit with correct speed slides across and gets pocketed or sits by pocket with good options after. But after looking better I retract my bet!

All in all that 4 bank angle isn’t doing it for me.

You hit the cue ball with a 9 o'clock spin stun.
Your total focus is to put the cue ball behind the 14 in line with your pocket.
Your NOT playing a bank shot too you hole but to your ''area''.
It's a speed control, stun shot.
When that spinning cue ball hits the long rail, it kills/stuns it's forward rolling speed.

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

You hit the cue ball with a 9 o'clock spin stun.
Your total focus is to put the cue ball behind the 14 in line with your pocket.
Your NOT playing a bank shot too you hole but to your ''area''.
It's a speed control, stun shot.
When that spinning cue ball hits the long rail, it kills/stuns it's forward rolling speed.

Now in this sense are you putting cb behind the 14 to send the 7 after, if say the 4 falls?Bob’s stun looks to stick on the side of the 14.

 

[jtompilot]

You better go from the original picture rather than my VP diagram because I was not real careful in the rack area and a half inch can make all the difference for shots like that.

Yep, the 5 isn’t going to even get close to the pocket

 

[phreaticus]

You better go from the original picture rather than my VP diagram because I was not real careful in the rack area and a half inch can make all the difference for shots like that.

Is there any pool shot where 1/2” doesn’t make a difference?

4 ball bank looks good to me, but the 5 ball options look easier to execute and control the CB for most of us mere mortals...

 

[Bigkat]

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys. Here’s what I’m saying. I see your point Robin. But I’m going to stick with Measureman on this one. If I’m playing someone not up to speed with me, I’m going to shoot BigFish’s 5 2 rails or maybe even spread the pile some. It’s really enjoyable winning, but when you play someone better and you are good to start with, your learning curve seems much faster. At least it does for me.

As an example you are in a game with friends or someone who can’t really beat you, how many times have you gone 2-3rails instead of using a 2” cb movement shot? I do it all the time.

Thanks for liking my double bank on the 5

 

[pt109]

I only skim read most stuff around here, but I wasn’t bagging on you, I was simply answering the question as to what I would do based on the ball layout and low score situation.

 

[jay helfert]

I'll tell you why I didn't like your shot. I went back to look at it again to make sure but here goes. I know me so I didn't like that shot on account of that shot needs absolute stop, no draw. If the ball drew a 1/4 ball it appears to have left a cross bank on the 5 which is a ball near his hole but its only good if he can shoot it with enough inside to get the cue ball up behind the 6. I just didn't like the complication which if I weren't sitting at the house and hitting balls more I'd take your shot but the way the balls appeared it looked like the cue ball needed to roll forward just a bit and if you did that then there was a risk you'd get a penalty by not getting the rail due to other balls in the way.

My couch has my game off but if you can get behind that one I would agree. Since I'm a lightweight right now I chose the safer option.

Damn I miss one pocket.

Robin, the shot I described was pretty much a stop shot and it doesn't get much easier than that. I'm not criticizing anyone elses choice of shots since that is the essence of One Pocket - many choices! Any shot can be a good shot if you can execute it properly. Some shots are just more difficult to execute and I prefer to avoid them if possible. Which is the case here. My point being, why take a chance when it isn't necessary at that point in the game, and there are other much safer options.

I tended to be a very aggressive player in my One Pocket days, but I was shooting at shots where I felt like if I could execute them properly they could win the game for me. And they often did. What did Tom Wirth say about Controlled Aggression! He was onto something there. In my prime years (mid 20's to early 40's) I had a record like the Globetrotters playing One Pocket cash games. So I guess I was doing something right. Even at my advanced age the younger guys who come through here are having trouble getting the best of me. And I rarely play or practice, maybe for an hour or two when someone is on the way over. They are welcome to post on here if they like. I get by mainly on my knowledge of the game, definitely not my shotmaking anymore. I'm liable to miss anything these days!

In fact anyone who posts on here (ANYONE!) is welcome to challenge me if they are in the area. I will bet that I can show you some shots that will help your One Pocket game become a little stronger. It always surprises me when I see a good player who overlooks relatively basic moves/strategy when playing One Pocket. Sometimes they just don't see it.

 

[336Robin]

Robin, the shot I described was pretty much a stop shot and it doesn't get much easier than that. I'm not criticizing anyone elses choice of shots since that is the essence of One Pocket - many choices! Any shot can be a good shot if you can execute it properly. Some shots are just more difficult to execute and I prefer to avoid them if possible. Which is the case here. My point being, why take a chance when it isn't necessary at that point in the game, and there are other much safer options.

I tended to be a very aggressive player in my One Pocket days, but I was shooting at shots where I felt like if I could execute them properly they could win the game for me. And they often did. What did Tom Wirth say about Controlled Aggression! He was onto something there. In my prime years (mid 20's to early 40's) I had a record like the Globetrotters playing One Pocket cash games. So I guess I was doing something right. Even at my advanced age the younger guys who come through here are having trouble getting the best of me. And I rarely play or practice, maybe for an hour or two when someone is on the way over. They are welcome to post on here if they like. I get by mainly on my knowledge of the game, definitely not my shotmaking anymore. I'm liable to miss anything these days!

In fact anyone who posts on here (ANYONE!) is welcome to challenge me if they are in the area. I will bet that I can show you some shots that will help your One Pocket game become a little stronger. It always surprises me when I see a good player who overlooks relatively basic moves/strategy when playing One Pocket. Sometimes they just don't see it.

Absolutely. Frank Tullos told me one time that One Pocket was as wide and it was deep and before he passed he was playing great, he's
in your age range I think did you know him?

I have Tom's book wish the pictures were better but its a great book. One of my favorite moves was banking at balls instead of the hole.

 

[Black-Balled]

I was going off memory and thought the 14 was a bit farther up the table or the 2 was down farther. I was thinking the 2 was a better cut to get the cb down. At which point a hung 4 would’ve been bad. Hung 4 gives you 2 off rail, knocks in 4 and if hit with correct speed slides across and gets pocketed or sits by pocket with good options after. But after looking better I retract my bet!

All in all that 4 bank angle isn’t doing it for me.

Meh. It is like driving thru the fastpass toll plaza.

Plenty of room, but it does look tight.

 

[jay helfert]

Absolutely. Frank Tullos told me one time that One Pocket was as wide and it was deep and before he passed he was playing great, he's
in your age range I think did you know him?

I have Tom's book wish the pictures were better but its a great book. One of my favorite moves was banking at balls instead of the hole.

I knew Frank since we were in our early 20's. There is a photo of him in my book Pool Wars and a story about the time we took off an action room in L.A. for a big score. I later took a beating over setting that all up! Frank and I remained friends for the rest of our lives, me opening poolrooms out West and him doing the same back East. Our career paths in pool somewhat paralleled each other. I think we are the same age or maybe one year difference. Frank was a stand up guy who stayed straight and clean throuhgout his life. He was one of those "undercover" players who could hold his own with anyone. I grew up in Dayton and Frank was from Cincy. We met originally at Mergards in Cincy in the mid 60's and he looked me up when he came out to Cali. The rest is history.

 

[bbb]

guys
you hit the 4 ball with some draw and alot of left to turn it off the rail so you can hit it fat and not have to cut it so much
you have the holland tunnell to get thru to get it near your pocket
you dont have the skill to freeze him on the `14 too so you just come off the raill
you have alot of balls protecting it
jmho

 

[336Robin]

I knew Frank since we were in our early 20's. There is a photo of him in my book Pool Wars and a story about the time we took off an action room in L.A. for a big score. I later took a beating over setting that all up! Frank and I remained friends for the rest of our lives, me opening poolrooms out West and him doing the same back East. Our career paths in pool somewhat paralleled each other. I think we are the same age or maybe one year difference. Frank was a stand up guy who stayed straight and clean throuhgout his life. He was one of those "undercover" players who could hold his own with anyone. I grew up in Dayton and Frank was from Cincy. We met originally at Mergards in Cincy in the mid 60's and he looked me up when he came out to Cali. The rest is history.

Frank was a mentor of mine but our personalities would clash from time to time. He was the
only person that loved playing banks like I do. We would play for hours and I'd start making balls like it was natural just part of living and breathing. He irritated me to death sometimes but he was a great guy all at the same time. I spoke at his funeral which we held a Break Time on Jonestown Rd. right before covid hit.

 

[jay helfert]

guys
you hit the 4 ball with some draw and alot of left to turn it off the rail so you can hit it fat and not have to cut it so much
you have the holland tunnell to get thru to get it near your pocket
you dont have the skill to freeze him on the `14 too so you just come off the raill
you have alot of balls protecting it
jmho
View attachment 615902

Maybe, but if the cue ball leaks out you could be in trouble. That shot is not foolproof and takes good execution to succeed. If the four bumps other balls coming down table it could cost you the game. In other words, you better hit it good! I guess it depends on your skill level. Once upon a time I may have taken that shot but not now!

 

[jay helfert]

Frank was a mentor of mine but our personalities would clash from time to time. He was the
only person that loved playing banks like I do. We would play for hours and I'd start making balls like it was natural just part of living and breathing. He irritated me to death sometimes but he was a great guy all at the same time. I spoke at his funeral which we held a Break Time on Jonestown Rd. right before covid hit.

I wish I had visited his rooms when I had a chance, but it seems like I was always busy getting ready for the next event. Where we grew up (Southwestern Ohio) Banks was popular and there were a lot of good players around.

 

[BC21]

Ah. So you plan on making the 4 or leaving opponent a bank shot? My strategy isn’t great on 1-pocket. I just threw the 11 around the 12 and hoped there was enough draw to get behind the pile. Its whats called fingers crossed strategy at best. I’m still learning how to give up balls safely/strategically.

I like banking the 4 as Bob suggested. It's a safe and smart shot. With the cb ending up on the side rail near the 14, there is no bank for your opponent. You might make the 4, but it would probably be better just to get it within a diamond of your pocket.

If you don't pocket the 4, and end up leaving a bank on the 14 or 7, it would likely be good for you if you're "opponent" went for the bank. There is not much to gain from banking the 14, but missing the 14 could leave 6 open balls into that right corner pocket, which could possibly cost the game.

 

[Bigkat]

DISCLAIMER: THIS IN NOT A SHOT EVEN I WOULD PLAY BUT JUST A SUGGESTION/OPTION. Bank the 11 ball with three or four English, hoping to spin off of the side rail, then to the bottom rail, and perhaps for the other side of the stack while maybe "comboing" some balls down towards your hole ... THOUGHTS??