Tom Wirth: Controlled Aggression review

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GoldCrown

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Steve Booth of OnePocket.org review of TW's book Controlled Aggression.
Thanks Steve..great write up...and thank you for
1P.org....the only forum totally dedicated to 1Pocket.



April 2016

One Pocket: A Game of Controlled Aggression
A new One Pocket book by Tom Wirth
Many of you may not be familiar with the name Tom Wirth, because he is one of those players that was not necessarily looking for the limelight even though he was a very good player, good enough to win one of the few major One Pocket tournaments he entered, Strawberry's World Tournament back in 1993.

Those of you that know Tom already know he is good at putting our complex game into understandable words, and that is exactly what this book is all about. Tom starts with overviews of the general principles of One Pocket, in particular the integration of offense and defense, and then goes on to illustrate and illuminate these principles.

One Pocket: A Game of Controlled Aggression is organized into basically three parts -- the early game, middle game and end game. It is very well illustrated with color photographs of game situations that each contain a key One Pocket move or concept. Many are shown in the "what would you do" format so you can engage your own thinking before you read what Tom has to offer. With each situation Tom walks you through his own inside scoop on the pros and cons of various shots and moves that many of us would easily overlook. Every new pages leave us with a better understanding of the game.

This book is great exercise for your One Pocket mind and is an excellent companion to the WWYD threads here in the OnePocket.org forum.

Whether you play One Pocket mainly just for the challenge or you like to play it for cash, this book will prove to be a solid investment in your One Pocket game. At $59.95 it is available from Tom directly by emailing .... Trwirth369@gmail.com
 
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I'm sure it is a fine book, but IMHO, the only thing more boring than playing or watching one-pocket is reading about one-pocket.

I've played it numerous time and gambled at it, but it is too slow a game for me. Especially when you are playing really slow players. There needs to be a time limit on games or a shot clock, if you ask me.

I'd rather play one-ball one-pocket than a full rack.
 
PocketPooler said:
Im sorry, but $60 for a damn book???!! Tom better come over on Sundays and read it to me for $60. Wow!
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Hey PP, Have you ever taken a pool lesson from a professional instructor? If so, what did they charge you for a one hour lesson? And what did you get out of the lesson?

Within this book you will receive several hours of instruction that you could only find from a handful of people anywhere in the Country. BTW it would cost you a lot more than $60. to have me come over to your house to give you a one hour lesson, even if you lived next door.

I've sold several hundred of these books so far and the only advertising I've done is here on AZB, and on facebook. Sure, One Pocket is a specialized game and is not for everyone but those who like the game, wish to improve, and have purchased a copy, have related to me and commented here on AZB that the price was well worth it. Sorry you feel otherwise but I can only assume you haven't bothered to do any research. With some folks price is everything.

Tom Wirth
 
To my friends here that do not play OnePocket. If you have nothing positive to add here kindly don't reply. Don't feel you have to bring down something good. Keep in mind it's a OnePocket thing ... You would not understand. Fair enough. And if you think the price is too high ... Don't buy it. I don't think the second poster would buy it for any price. I think it's worth more. Would it be possible to stick to the subject .... That being a great review. No one asked if you can or can't afford it.
 
I guess everybody's ideas of value are different, but if i bought a book for 60 bones and it taught me only one thing that made me a better player, Id consider it money well spent.
 
HawaiianEye said:
I'm sure it is a fine book, but IMHO, the only thing more boring than playing or watching one-pocket is reading about one-pocket.

I've played it numerous time and gambled at it, but it is too slow a game for me. Especially when you are playing really slow players. There needs to be a time limit on games or a shot clock, if you ask me.

I'd rather play one-ball one-pocket than a full rack.
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There are many games which people feel are boring and slow. Chess, Baseball, Soccer, Poke..., I could go on.

Chess players find the game mentally engrossing. Baseball fans may get immersed in the strategy used between catcher and pitcher, or maybe in the way the manager positions his fielders when a certain situation arises. Soccer fans...well I don't know much about the game but it is one of the most popular games in the world so I can only assume it too has its appeal and I won't knock it.

The point is, we all have our opinions and until we begin to learn to appreciate another persons perspective and begin to understand the intricacies of the game your opinion has little to offer other than to show uninformed criticism.

Now I have played countless games of One Pocket which lasted longer than an hour. I've watched Efren Reyes play and exhibition match with Jimmy Fusco in which the game lasting well over an hour got down to a single ball on the table. The defensive play among these two imaginative players in denying each other good scoring opportunities was outstanding. On the other hand I have played and watched just as many games which were over in far less time than it takes to play a game of nine ball.

All I can say is take some time to delve deeper into the game before turning your back on it. This game requires every form of Pool and billiard skills imaginable while also forcing the players to think at ever higher strategic levels. Maybe its not for you. That's all right. It's not for everyone but please don't try to discourage others from taking a good hard look.

Thanks,

Tom Wirth
 
berko said:
I guess everybody's ideas of value are different, but if i bought a book for 60 bones and it taught me only one thing that made me a better player, Id consider it money well spent.
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I bought one for a gift. Guy loved it.
 
PocketPooler said:
I have had a lesson from a professional. Rafael Martinez. Cost $20 and was worth about $25 less than that. Damn...barely spoke any English.

Not taking anything away from your knowledge of One Pocket, Tom. I am sure you definitely know your stuff, and for damn sure know more than i do, but $60 for a book-- A BOOK-- is alot. Good luck with it. I wish i had the talent, time and ability to do it and make all that money.
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Maybe if you spoke his language you would have gotten much more out of the lesson. It begs the question, why would you take a lesson from someone who's language you cannot understand?

BTW you get what you pay for. Look for discounts and what you get? Buy a cheap pool cue from Walmart and the best you can make of it is an expensive piece of firewood on a cold night.
 
berko said:
I guess everybody's ideas of value are different, but if i bought a book for 60 bones and it taught me only one thing that made me a better player, Id consider it money well spent.
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Now here is a fellow who understands the value of an education. Money comes and goes but once you learn something it is yours forever and no one can take it away from you.

Tom.
 
I purchased it an have learned a great deal about the game, as someone who is just learning one pocket I found it very informative
 
What did you say??

PocketPooler said:
I have had a lesson from a professional. Rafael Martinez. Cost $20 and was worth about $25 less than that. Damn...barely spoke any English.

Not taking anything away from your knowledge of One Pocket, Tom. I am sure you definitely know your stuff, and for damn sure know more than i do, but $60 for a book-- A BOOK-- is alot. Good luck with it. I wish i had the talent, time and ability to do it and make all that money.
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You didn't know Rafael's English was not the best when you spoke with him about taking lessons???? Is there something wrong with your English???

If you cant learn something from one of the best rotation players and all around Pool players of all time, you might have a learning disorder.

If you learn one thing from a $60.00 book that helped you play better, then it would be Money well spent.

If you are a tournament player or a Action guy you would understand, if not then even
a $2.00 book isn't worth the money.
 
I'd say one of the best, if not the most comprehensive books available on the game. Priceless
 
I wouldn't pay $60 if a topless Miss America laid my head in her lap and read me the book, set up shots and showed me how to shoot them.
 
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I do play one pocket occasionally and I do enjoy the game and it's nuances but it is not my game of choice. My son started playing one pocket. A friend of mine, who is a friend of Tom Wirth, forwarded me his cell number as I wanted to order the book for my son as a Xmas gift. I spoke with Tom a couple of times. A more pleasant and amiable man you will never meet. He sent the book to me and personally inscribed it for my son, which was a nice touch. The layout and make up of the book is top notch from the binder to the quality of the paper and print. $60 means different things to different people. After all, perception is reality. This book will become a classic. Get your copy now. $60 does not even buy one meal for two at a nice restaurant.
 
Cracktherack said:
I wouldn't pay $60 if a topless Miss America laid my head in her lap and read me the book, set up shots and showed me how to shoot them.
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I certainly would pay $60 for this... without question.

Back on topic: I bought the book and it took me a long time to read it,,, I have read it several times due to the amount of information in there.

Without question the book has improved my one pocket game.

What's that worth? I could have very easily gambled away $200 to the best one pocket player in my pool room and learned very little.

Looking back, I feel the value of the material is worth way more than the cost of the book.
 
Thank you one and all for your comments. Please keep them coming. I love to hear how my book has help develop your games to a higher level. :smile:

And to you others who feel the cost of the book is too high, feel free to express yourselves here. I welcome all opinions no matter how wrong you are. :grin:

Tom
 
Cracktherack said:
I wouldn't pay $60 if a topless Miss America laid my head in her lap and read me the book, set up shots and showed me how to shoot them.
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Do you play one pocket?

If you do, then this book can take your game to the next level. It teaches you how to think about the game and options for situations that regularly come up.

If you do not play one pocket, then there really is no reason to post in this thread.
 
Hey Tom-
You better not tell these guys how much a copy of "Shots, Moves and Strategies" goes for, you might induce an aneurism!
Heard about your book over at onepocket.org, had Mr. Fleming send me copy and man is it fantastic!! Great illustrations, in-depth explorations of key concepts, and no "filler" at all.
 
For the cost of the book. The value is priceless. The information does not expire.
As the player progresses they can absorb more of the stuff described and illustrated.
I would not pay $60 for a golf tennis bowling horseshoes nose picking whatever book because I do not participate. However I want to learn 1p. So be it
 
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dickp said:
Hey Tom-
You better not tell these guys how much a copy of "Shots, Moves and Strategies" goes for, you might induce an aneurism!
Heard about your book over at onepocket.org, had Mr. Fleming send me copy and man is it fantastic!! Great illustrations, in-depth explorations of key concepts, and no "filler" at all.
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Hey Dick, I'm glad you got a copy of my book through Pat. I want him to do well selling it. Great review in their catalog too.

Tom
 
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