starting out 1 pocket

T

traa89

traa89
Silver Member
I have been playing 9 ball for about 3 years now and have finally gotten interested in one pocket. I have been watching the best players in my area play it for a couple of months and have played a couple of racks with a friend. What is the best way I should start out playing one pocket in order to get better and what is a fair amout to gamble for per game for a beginner?
 
Don't gamble until you know how to play. One-pocket is a game that's very easy to hide your speed. Try playing with only 1 ball with a friend. Play the old guys that you always see playing, they'll teach you the moves. Watch the greats like Efren, Joyner, and Parica. And don't worry about making balls, that's not the point of the game. The point of one-pocket is to not let the other guy make balls. Be patient, it's boring as all hell.

Edit: When you're ready to gamble some, 5 or 10 a game is usually a good start.
 
First of all, welcome to the addiction! I would suggest playing better players cheap, continuing to watch games between better players, and asking lots of questions. One of the best ways to learn is by playing grandpa, which is where three people play and rotate partners every game. This way 2 out of 3 games you have a coach showing you which shot they would shoot and why. As far as an amount to bet, that all depends on what you are willing to lose.:D
 
In addition to the above good advice, try to add a new dimension to your thinking when playing one pocket; consider risk versus reward on all but the easiest shots. When you have a big lead, play more conservatively and move the remaining balls uptable (somewhat out of play) to protect your lead. When you are behind, you sometimes must take somewhat risky shots to try and catch up to your opponent. When trailing, also try to keep some balls downtable so that you might be able to run a few.

Try to get a copy of Winning One Pocket if you can as well.
 
Play good one pocket players around you and get destroyed. Thats what i do and i've learned soooo much about the game and improved quick. Also by watching what they do and where they move and why. Don't play people weaker than your speed, you prob won't learn anything.
 
Drew said:
Don't gamble until you know how to play. One-pocket is a game that's very easy to hide your speed. Try playing with only 1 ball with a friend. Play the old guys that you always see playing, they'll teach you the moves. Watch the greats like Efren, Joyner, and Parica. And don't worry about making balls, that's not the point of the game. The point of one-pocket is to not let the other guy make balls. Be patient, it's boring as all hell.

Edit: When you're ready to gamble some, 5 or 10 a game is usually a good start.
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It can be excruciating at times. This game is about torturing your opponent, no doubt about it. About denying him pleasure. About screwing him royally.

Schadenfreude is the name of the game. Oh, and making some really bada$$ shots. It's a game about delayed gratification.

What a game :D

Flex
 
traa89 said:
I have been playing 9 ball for about 3 years now and have finally gotten interested in one pocket. I have been watching the best players in my area play it for a couple of months and have played a couple of racks with a friend. What is the best way I should start out playing one pocket in order to get better and what is a fair amout to gamble for per game for a beginner?
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Most folks usually don't get interested in One-Pocket after only three years experience in 9-ball. I normally wouldn't even recommend playing the game with that much time in. But, if you are attracted to the game, great!

If you can hook up with an old-timer with knowledge, it can be an inexpensive lesson - as they say, an old tongue likes to wag. As far as gambling, remember that beginners are an easy target for veteran players, so keep your bets within reason. Also keep in mind, your 9-ball game may suffer after shooting some One-Hole.

One-Pocket is a fascinating because you can play the game for 50 years and still learn new moves. Good luck.
 
I like to watch the good players. When you see two good players matching up, sit with somebody who plays as good or better than them. Ask questions and get a running commentary from the better player who is spectating. The hows aren't as important as the whys in onepocket. I can definatley "see" the table better when I'm not playing. Watch, watch and watch. Then play play play. Get into a partners game with good players. Just explain your newness and get with a good mover.
 
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Find the best one pocket player(s) in your area and pay them to teach you the moves. You will waste a great deal of time trying to learn the game on your own. If you attempt to gamble at the game prior to learning the moves you will be "gutted" by players that do know the moves. You would be shocked at the weight somebody could give you and still win if they know what they're doing and you don't.

my 2 cents.

Doug
 
I am convinced that the best way for a new player to learn the game if they are already in or about the "B" player or above category is to purchase any and all 1pkt videos with Bill Incardona, Danny DiLiberto, or Grady Mathews commentating. You may even run across one with all three. IMHO everything else aside from attempting to apply what you learn from these tapes in actual play is a far second. No faster way to learn.

Although you can learn from watching good players move, its so much faster when they explain the whys and why nots of the moves for you as well.

Playing the cue ball rather than the OB is very important. Two of the most common generic things to learn are how to find safe shots and clearance shots that can be made by sticking the cue ball with angles that are straight on to your hit, and also learning how to play slow rolls by aiming at the back side of OBs. to obtain CB direction after contact. Both are EXTREMELY common place shots.
 
If you have a good 1p player in your town, try to get into action where you play a better player than yourself, even, but that good 1p player gets to coach you, and offer him half of your winnings.

Watch videos, gamble better players, ask a million questions - but try to only ask the people who play GOOD one pocket, you don't want to learn from someone runs out balls but isn't knowledgeable. Set yourself up in situations with a few balls on the table and try to get out, and learn how to play chess.
 
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