There are two camps when it comes to one pocket. The " old school " which are super conservative - which rely on moving ability and they try to put you to sleep each and every game. The " new school " which are super aggressive and rely on their shooting ability - I believe it is referred to as " power " one pocket. Of course you need not be exclusively one or the other and actually the best players use a combination of both as the situation dictates. You do however need to know what kind of player you want to be going in, as this will dictate everything going forward.
For me, I have been fairly successful in my one pocket endeavors, much more so overall than 9 ball. I suppose I would be considered an aggressive player. This approach has worked well for me and this is why : when I play much better players than myself I am able to be honest with myself and know dam well I am NEVER gonna out move them. I pocket balls well enough that I can be a threat and in reality that is my only realistic chance at winning. Not to mention I can't stand ga,especially that last 2 hours, shot after shot looking at balls on the head rail to see if they are frozen so I can slow roll the cue and try to freeze to them. I can and have played those games countless times but if given the choice no thanks. Then if I'm playing a lower player, well I'm firing away. If I miss I don't believe they can hurt me all that much and the risk verses reward is heavily in my favor. As mentioned earlier, I always tailor my game each time to the circumstances.
After everything is said and done though, I am in the camp that the shooters Wil ultimately beat the movers most of the time. I'm not talking about the pole that " think they're shooters and sell put every game but rather the people that actually get it done. I consider my game well rounded. The person that taught me one hole would definitely be an old school cat, but imo overall he has to have been considered an aggressive player, even by today's standards. Maybe the first half of his carer that may not have been the case, I can't really say because I was not around for it but for sure JAM would know and maybe if she wants to she could comment on it. But the second half of his career he was and agrees I've player and that's the kind of instruction I rcvd.
Bottom line is this, regardless of which type player you decide is best for you the absolute most important thing is shot selection. Knowing without a doubt what the correct shot is at that very second AND being able to execute it - whether it be a safety or if you are firing away. Most everything you will learn about one pocket will come with time and experience. There is ZERO substitute for time on the table, in action, playing one pocket. I know for me; and I guess most others, I know exactly what I a supposed to do before even reaching the table. People often refer to one hole as a chess game and that sentiment could not be truer. You will eventually " see it " in your head 4, 5, 6 moves ahead of time. Keep at it brother and you WILL get it - it really is a GREAT game!!!
