One Pocket - Which Pocket for Left vs. Right Handers?

[Patrick Johnson]

A few times lately I've seen opinions from knowledgable one pocket players about which pocket a left hander vs. a right hander should choose. Jay Helfert, for instance, says in the "One pocket break help" thread that right handers should break from the left side (choosing the right pocket). JoeyA, who's also supposed to know which end of the stick to use, says the opposite: right handers should break from the right side (choosing the left pocket). [Either of you guys please correct me if I'm wrong about your opinion.]

I only know of two reasons to choose a particular pocket, and I think they both support Joey's opinion that right handers should choose the left pocket (and vice verse for left handers). The reasons are:

1. Your body isn't between your stick and the table for most shots (shooting from your side toward your opponent's pocket).

2. You can more easily reach shots along the long rail to your pocket, especially if you're not real tall.

What other reasons are there? Is the break easier from one side or the other for right vs. left handed players?

Who's right (if anybody)? Why?

Thanks in advance,

pj
chgo

CueTable Help

 

[bomber]

I really dont think anyone is right or wrong. I think that it comes down to personal preference. I like to break from the left side and choose the right corner pocket, but I have no problems the other way. It seems that their are equally hard shots on both sides of the table.

 

[Southpaw]

Normally if you play right handed it is said that if you choose the left hand corner pocket for your own, then it makes it tougher for your opponent to make a ball in their pocket off the break if the corner ball leaks out (assuming they are right handed too). I dont really know if thats such a big deal or not, I can shoot opposite handed pretty well so it doesnt really bother me much.

Southpaw

 

[shag_fu]

Ive found on most older tables there is almost always a stronger pocket( table rolls into the pocket or doesnt roll out as much as the other pocket). Im a right hander and feel that my break is stronger on the right side as opposed to the left. I also think that you have to be conscious of yourself when playing shape for shots. When you have a tough shot for a particular side of the body, you have to focus on 1 part of the shot, making the ball or putting the cueball right where you want.

In regards to generalities, I feel that a RH can get a better more level bridge on the left side of the table especially if you break with the cue very close to the rail.( i break 3 fingers off the rail generally) If you are breaking far enough out to bridge on the felt then the side doesnt matter.
This is the area that are more difficult for me:

CueTable Help

 

[BillPorter]

I don't know if there is a "right" answer that applies to everyone, but I know that I am a right-handed guy who ALWAYS breaks from the right side of the table toward the left corner pocket.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

I don't have a preference. I practice breaking for either pocket. But if I know that the table will favor a slow roll (from the top of the table) into the left pocket, I will break accordingly. Or if either hole has a drift 'out of the pocket' I will break to the opposite pocket.

Been playing more 1PKT lately... and found that my shot making skills need improvement (from either side of the table)

 

[Thecoats]

I am right handed and prefer breaking from the right side to the left pocket, but it really has more to do with my comfort breaking from that side. I have heard from many older very experienced players that a righty should break from the left so they can reach more shots without using the bridge.

-don

 

[longhair]

I think it's a small weakness to prefer a pocket. You should choose the pocket that is bigger, or rolls in better, or has a dead rail above it that would make the cross corner bank into the other one more difficult. If you can't tell which pocket is better for those reasons, you should choose the one that your opponent wants.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I think it's a small weakness to prefer a pocket.

That's an interesting perspective I hadn't thought of, and it echoes my thoughts on other things, like habitually using outside english on cut shots. I often say that I think habits are weaknesses in pool.

pj
chgo

 

[jay helfert]

I don't know if there is a "right" answer that applies to everyone, but I know that I am a right-handed guy who ALWAYS breaks from the right side of the table toward the left corner pocket.

I always preferred breaking from the right side for many years, and am probably more comfortable with that shot. But there are distinct advantages for a right handed player if he can successfully break from the left side.

 

[tpdtom]

I always preferred breaking from the right side for many years, and am probably more comfortable with that shot. But there are distinct advantages for a right handed player if he can successfully break from the left side.

Absolutely correct. Think about the angle that your body has to turn to play on each side of the table without the rake. A right handed player can easily reach more shots on the left side, and vice versa. Not to say that we shouldn't be able to switch depending on all the other variables, but being a lefty, I'm going to chose to break toward the left pocket if given a choice...Tom

 

[AZE]

Right handed, break to the right pocket (looking from the breaking position).

That's what Danny told me.

 

[ironman]

I always preferred breaking from the right side for many years, and am probably more comfortable with that shot. But there are distinct advantages for a right handed player if he can successfully break from the left side.

I always break from the left for the simple reason that I always seem to run ball better toward the right side.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

AZE:
Right handed, break to the right pocket (looking from the breaking position).

That's what Danny told me.

Did he tell you why?

pj
chgo

 

[1pRoscoe]

Surprised it hasn't been brought up yet, but typically a right hander will break from the left side (or should) because of reaching shots across the table. If you'll notice, it much easier to be on the "left" side of the table shooting at the right corner pocket than it is to reach across your body the other way....

 

[playonepocket]

Assuming that you use a side rail break, I prefer to take the right hand pocket, hence breaking from the left side rail. I think it is easier to pocket balls into the right side corner (when looking at the table from the kitchen) for a right hander.

Also, assuming you use a side rail break, striking between the head ball and second ball with 2 o'clock (high/inside english), then you may also want to consider whether or not you apply right or left hand english more effectively. Most players strike one english better than the other. For instance, if you can control left hand english better than right, perhaps breaking from the right side (choosing left pocket) would be better for you.

ALSO, if you "out move" your opponent, who might shoot stronger than you, picking a pocket that would put them at an offensive (shooting) disadvantage, would put you at a defensive (moving advantge). This applies to also being able to reach the defensive shots and side rail bank shots.

Just my $.02

-Dave

 

[Patrick Johnson]

jay:
I always preferred breaking from the right side for many years, and am probably more comfortable with that shot. But there are distinct advantages for a right handed player if he can successfully break from the left side.

Tom:
Absolutely correct. Think about the angle that your body has to turn to play on each side of the table without the rake. A right handed player can easily reach more shots on the left side, and vice versa.

Isn't it the other way around? I thought you'd want your stroking arm closer to the table than your body when standing at an angle to the rail, and when it matters you're usually shooting toward your opponent's side angled toward the foot end of the table, right? So don't you want your stroking arm on the uptable side when on your own side?

pj
chgo

 

[BillPorter]

one thing that hasn't been brought up yet

While there may be an advantage for right handers to break from the left side, what about guys like me who play mostly one-pocket, have been playing for years, and always break from the right side? I am much more used to running balls into that left pocket and much more comfortable, and accurate hitting a break shot from the right. For me, it might hurt my game a bit to switch at age 65.

 

[ShootingArts]

that's when I swap sides

While there may be an advantage for right handers to break from the left side, what about guys like me who play mostly one-pocket, have been playing for years, and always break from the right side? I am much more used to running balls into that left pocket and much more comfortable, and accurate hitting a break shot from the right. For me, it might hurt my game a bit to switch at age 65.

Playing most right handers I use conventional wisdom and break from the left side being right handed myself. However, playing a left hander whom I figure gets to play to his "better" pocket about 90% of the time, I'll swap sides to take his pocket. Playing you I would do the same thing on my break.

Hu

 

[mick hodapp]

A few times lately I've seen opinions from knowledgable one pocket players about which pocket a left hander vs. a right hander should choose. Jay Helfert, for instance, says in the "One pocket break help" thread that right handers should break from the left side (choosing the right pocket). JoeyA, who's also supposed to know which end of the stick to use, says the opposite: right handers should break from the right side (choosing the left pocket). [Either of you guys please correct me if I'm wrong about your opinion.]

I only know of two reasons to choose a particular pocket, and I think they both support Joey's opinion that right handers should choose the left pocket (and vice verse for left handers). The reasons are:

1. Your body isn't between your stick and the table for most shots (shooting from your side toward your opponent's pocket).

2. You can more easily reach shots along the long rail to your pocket, especially if you're not real tall.

What other reasons are there? Is the break easier from one side or the other for right vs. left handed players?

Who's right (if anybody)? Why?

Thanks in advance,

pj
chgo

CueTable Help

I,personally, being a short left hander, prefer breaking from the right side of the table & taking the left pocket & the way I figure it, at my speed, I am going to be spending more time taking my opponets balls out of his pocket than shooting balls in my pocket & for a short, left hander it is easier to reach, just my 2 cents worth !