The second "biggest" ball in one-pocket

[BillPorter]

I guess the obvious candidate for the most important ball in a game of one-pocket is the ball you shoot in to win the game. But what's the next most significant ball in the game? Consider a game where you need a bunch of balls, say 5, 6 or 7, and your opponent needs just a single ball. In such a game, if you can force your opponent to take an intentional foul or if your opponent commits a table scratch or other foul, the difference between their needing a single ball and needing TWO is huge! For me, that's the second "biggest ball" in the game, the second ball they now need. Your chances of making a comeback just zoomed upwards from an extreme long-shot to just improbable. Now a mistake on your part doesn't necessarily end the game and you are operating under less intense pressure. In a game I had a couple of weeks ago, at one point my opponent needed just one ball while I needed five. At the end of the game, my opponent needed three balls! I guess the reason for this post is to encourage novice one-pocket players to not give up when their opponent is just a ball away from victory and they still need several balls. There are lots of turns and twists possible in a one-pocket end game and if you can hang in for a while, your opponent may stumble, commit a foul, and suddenly needed twice the balls they did a moment ago.

 

[senor]

Like you said, of course it's important to pocket your game ball. The 2nd biggest ball in one pocket might be the 7th ball made, or the ball made that gets you needing one. Easier said than done, but if playing shape on your game ball significantly reduces your chances of making the 7th ball, then it is just as well that the 7th ball is cinched so that you are needing one and you can settle for a bank shot or a safety.

 

[Aaron_S]

It may be the ball you choose to just give your opponent rather than attempt a risky takeout.

Aaron (has been "taken out" by risky takeouts on many occasions :frown

 

[BillPorter]

It may be the ball you choose to just give your opponent rather than attempt a risky takeout.

Aaron (has been "taken out" by risky takeouts on many occasions :frown

An excellent point! I can't count the times I have taken a ball out of my opponent's pocket at the cost of turning whitey loose and then sat back and watched my opponent run two or three and out.

 

[Ironman317]

i would say that it is the ball you shoot at right after your opponent breaks. this is where the game can ultimately be decided.

 

[BillPorter]

i would say that it is the ball you shoot at right after your opponent breaks. this is where the game can ultimately be decided.

Can't argue with you on this one. There are not many things in one-pocket more discouraging than making what you think is a really strong break only to have your opponent stick you in the rack while moving one or two balls right near his pocket!

 

[Black-Balled]

ALso, what is the 2nd best cue?

 

[Drew]

Nah, the most important ball in one-pocket is the one you put on the spot and you gotta make it from the kitchen.

 

[softshot]

I'm still new to the game so correct me if I'm wrong..

but the Idea is to hide the cueball while setting up your runout.. while your opponent does the same...

so then wouldn't the second most important ball be the shot that begins your runout?

like the sleeper shot you hope he doesn't see?

 

[gulfportdoc]

I guess the obvious candidate for the most important ball in a game of one-pocket is the ball you shoot in to win the game. But what's the next most significant ball in the game?

Bill, oftentimes you're faced with a shot that's normally not too difficult (like a longish straight-in), but if it's missed it'll sell out all or most of your opponent's balls; whereas if you make it, you will win or take a commanding advantage. THAT'S a big ball!!

Doc

 

[poolfire]

your right

1st biggest ball is the ball you make to win
2nd biggest ball is the one he makes to win

 

[androd]

Agreement

I find that BILLPORTER, SENOR, AARON S, IRONMAN317, DREW and GULFPORTDOC have pretty well covered the waterfront on this subject. Drew mention the spot shot, which can sometimes be a choice as to whether to shoot it or not, Doc mentioned the longish straight-in, probably the same choice. So they're many important balls, even the ones you choose not to shoot.

 

[alphadog]

I guess the obvious candidate for the most important ball in a game of one-pocket is the ball you shoot in to win the game. But what's the next most significant ball in the game? Consider a game where you need a bunch of balls, say 5, 6 or 7, and your opponent needs just a single ball. In such a game, if you can force your opponent to take an intentional foul or if your opponent commits a table scratch or other foul, the difference between their needing a single ball and needing TWO is huge! For me, that's the second "biggest ball" in the game, the second ball they now need. Your chances of making a comeback just zoomed upwards from an extreme long-shot to just improbable. Now a mistake on your part doesn't necessarily end the game and you are operating under less intense pressure. In a game I had a couple of weeks ago, at one point my opponent needed just one ball while I needed five. At the end of the game, my opponent needed three balls! I guess the reason for this post is to encourage novice one-pocket players to not give up when their opponent is just a ball away from victory and they still need several balls. There are lots of turns and twists possible in a one-pocket end game and if you can hang in for a while, your opponent may stumble, commit a foul, and suddenly needed twice the balls they did a moment ago.

If opponent's out ball is "biggest",I believe the cue ball has to be next in importance.Maybe this is so simplistic that whitey hasn't been "ranked" ,as
argueably, it is actually ALWAYS biggest!