One of the best players I personally have ever watched and played was Patch Eye Henry. He died about 5 years ago. He was a top onepocket player, and had a straight pool high run in the 300's. Anyway, when I met him and played him he was in his 70's and 80's, but was still one of the best one pocket players in Philly. His style at this age, was he'd read a newspaper until he got a game, and then put his cue together to start his expert maneuvering. Zero warm up or practice shots.
Additionally, his stroke was zero warm up strokes. He'd stand at the table deciding on his shot, then get down in his stance with the tip right at the CB, hang out there for about 5 seconds with zero motion, then pull back and fire. He was very frail, and a bit shaky due to age and he had a stroke, so I don't know if he shot this way to conserve what little energy he had at his old age, or if he always shot this way.
At 80 something years old, he was still A speed.
Jay, did you ever see him play when he was younger? He was truly old school, and had gambled in every single state except Alaska and Hawaii.