Why do you hate one pocket?

Rarelymisses said:
That's exactly right ! When I first learned one pocket, I didn't understand at first why I hated the game even when I won. Then it dawned on me ... it is a very negative game. On most shots, you're trying to put a knife in your opponent. In all other games, you play in a positive frame of mind until you have to play a safety. In one pocket, you're mostly negative for the whole game. Once I realized this, I learned to get over it and love the game.
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i've learned some shots playing 1 pocket that really came in handy and helped me get out playing other games (especially 9 ball) but for me normally i try to error on the side of agression and 1 pocket seems to punish agression. still fun if you're in the mood though. i really like out thinking older players (it's rare but it happens, sometimes)
 
justnum said:
Because non of the pro female players play one pocket tournaments.

[I sound so horny sometimes]
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Jeanette, Vivian and Monica all play good One Pocket.
 
jay helfert said:
Jeanette, Vivian and Monica all play good One Pocket.
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Sarah Rousey, has more heart than any of um and also plays one pocket. As does Vivian, just ask Ronnie, and Belinda.
 
Let Me Tell You A Secret

fanthom said:
I hate it because of the cost in table time, shoot-and-duck, takes a long time and ruins my nineball stroke.
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What I am about to tell you fanthom,is the one thing that separates good players and great players(regardless of the game) I have heard many average to good players share the same problems of staying in stroke while playing onepocket..Well here is the key..Take notes..

Always,always,always,have a very specific plan for your cueball on every shot.Offensive shots (shots that you are playing position for the next ball) are much easier to plan for because after all you are shooting to play position for the next ball(as in any other pool game;albeit in one designated hole) What I'm talking about are the moving and bunting of the cue ball that goes on in 1Pocket. You must execute a meaningful stroke on a 3 inch bunt move just as you would a shot at your winner.

Having a precise plan for your cueball(regardless of the nature of your shot.be it offensive or defensive) keeps you in stroke.

You ever wonder how Cliff can bunt and move and gather table position for a solid hour ..without making an "obviously offensive" shot,and then all of a sudden, he sees an opening and then he's able to execute his offense like he's been been shooting for an hour (instead of ducking)..? The reason why is this:He never loses control of his intentions with his cueball while he's moving .His cueball is always Just so .It's no coincidence that his cueball touch is masterful because he puts the same amount of effort in his cueball position(on all shots) as he does in his actual shot-making(well almost)

The two go hand in hand ..most great players play good position and most people who play good postion or great shot makers..Especially in onepocket because often times you may not be able to get in a rhythm like 9ball you absouletly must execute a commited ,purposeful stroke everytime.Now this will require that you keep your head in the game .Most 9ballers don't like that aspect of it.

If you make a practice to commit to your cueball down to a fraction of an inch,for even the most mundane of moves.You will never have any problem staying in stroke.

When you have an opening you will run out like you would in 9ball.

When I hustle pool..at times I will intentionally miss balls but I always have my cueball on a string..That way I stay in stroke ..All the sucker knows is that you missed a ball..but they can't figure out how"lucky" you are with your "leave" after each miss:) :)

Note:whenever you aimlessly bunt or roll a ball into a general area ,you are damaging your stroke.
 
Walt Frazier said:
What I am about to tell you fanthom,is the one thing that separates good players and great players(regardless of the game) I have heard many average to good players share the same problems of staying in stroke while playing onepocket..Well here is the key..Take notes..

Always,always,always,have a very specific plan for your cueball on every shot.Offensive shots (shots that you are playing position for the next ball) are much easier to plan for because after all you are shooting to play position for the next ball(as in any other pool game;albeit in one designated hole) What I'm talking about are the moving and bunting of the cue ball that goes on in 1Pocket. You must execute a meaningful stroke on a 3 inch bunt move just as you would a shot at your winner.

Having a precise plan for your cueball(regardless of the nature of your shot.be it offensive or defensive) keeps you in stroke.

You ever wonder how Cliff can bunt and move and gather table position for a solid hour ..without making an "obviously offensive" shot,and then all of a sudden, he sees an opening and then he's able to execute his offense like he's been been shooting for an hour (instead of ducking)..? The reason why is this:He never loses control of his intentions with his cueball while he's moving .His cueball is always Just so .It's no coincidence that his cueball touch is masterful because he puts the same amount of effort in his cueball position(on all shots) as he does in his actual shot-making(well almost)

The two go hand in hand ..most great players play good position and most people who play good postion or great shot makers..Especially in onepocket because often times you may not be able to get in a rhythm like 9ball you absouletly must execute a commited ,purposeful stroke everytime.Now this will require that you keep your head in the game .Most 9ballers don't like that aspect of it.

If you make a practice to commit to your cueball down to a fraction of an inch,for even the most mundane of moves.You will never have any problem staying in stroke.

When you have an opening you will run out like you would in 9ball.

When I hustle pool..at times I will intentionally miss balls but I always have my cueball on a string..That way I stay in stroke ..All the sucker knows is that you missed a ball..but they can't figure out how"lucky" you are with your "leave" after each miss:) :)

Note:whenever you aimlessly bunt or roll a ball into a general area ,you are damaging your stroke.
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i like the way you put that Walt. when i read the part about the table time i thought you were going to tell him to bet higher or include the table time in the bet. i've been wanting to ask is that a picture of you
 
I've always gotten the impression that many of the old timers disliked one pocket because they viewed it as a gimmick game.
 
vivian can play me some one pocket..she might beat me playing nine ball but she knows she has one pocket action with me!!!!
 
Its simple....those who dont like one pocket, simply had ADD. Actually, while this is meant to be a joke, it isnt too far from the truth. One hole is my favorite game...but I also dont mind catfishing on a river bank either. Some people just cant handle the slow pace.

I do get tired of everyone saying that people who dont like one hole simply dont appreciate the beauty of it or they cant win at it or stuff like that. Hey, I bet its real damn hard to be a race car driver and I appreciate all the beauty in it and the skills involved etc... BUT I STILL HATE IT! Everyone has their own opinion. To each his own. Another good example...Tour De France. Lots of skill and beauty in that...but boring as hell to watch and very stupid to participate in in my opinion.

Opinions are like as&hol$es...everyone has one and they all stink...especially mine.
 
Steve Lipsky said:
I hate it because I like to run balls. Lots of 'em. Not only is 1-pocket a short-rack game, but it's not easy like 9-ball. So you have to concentrate quite hard, but you don't even get the satisfaction of, say, running a hundred if you do it well.

As a wise man once said, "if I wanted to play chess, I'd play chess."
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You can run a hundred in 9 BALL? Whew! You are the boss! :D
JoeyA
 
like they say...1 pocket is the chess of pool...i luv it!!! even thought i lose my patience at times with it id rather play one pocket that 9 ball anytime!!!
 
I really enjoyed the games of one pocket I have played. (over 30 games) But 9 ball is the game I will play predominantly because I'm 32 and have a sledgehammer break and I feel it requires athletisism that I know will fade away. When my back is out and I'm retired and old then My game will be one-pocket. I look forward to that.
 
But I like one pocket. The game takes patience, which is becoming a rarity in many peoples life not just pool. I like the strategy of setting someone up, you must be aware of every ball on the table.

Its not unlike any other game, you should be aware of the whole table, not just the shot at hand. Running balls off is very similar to 14-1, clear balls blocking the pocket and the rails. Know when to spread balls and how much, however leaving banking lanes open would be different.

Its interesting to watch someone try to move whitey in a tight area. You know right away if the guy has a clue or not. Not just OP but most games played. Zone position won't cut it playing OP or even 14-1 to a certain extent.

Well I like the game, playing a great defensive offensive move. As with most games leave em locked up or long, on the rail, or preferably both. Then watch em squirm, its great.

Rod
 
The simple answer...

Generally people who don't think they can win with it, hate it. It drives decent players nuts to have this game (One Pocket) where they get pounded by players they could handily beat at say 9-Ball or whatever.

It isn't the easiest game to learn, so there usually is that painful spell at the beginning of the learning curve, during which player's may hate the game -- and go on hating it if they never get beyond that initial hump in the game. There are stories upon stories of great players that felt that way before they did get over the hump and started to beat players they considered themselves equal to -- and then they loved the game!

Players that already have a wider pool background (banking, safety & position play) will learn the game faster than players that don't have some of those basic skills already in place.

A guy like Lipsky, who is already a strong straight pool player, would learn the game just fine, and it would help his safety play in straight pool, oplus he would gain confidence in his short cross corner or cross side banks that would bail him out now and then in his straight pool :) Hell, Steve, I bet you already are pocketing 80% of the balls you shoot in 14.1 into the same two pockets we use for One Pocket :)

PS -- did you catch the thread that reported that Dennis Orcolo and Corey Deuel engaged in a little after hours One pocket at Olathe this week!
 
One pocket rules

Alex, i've heard that there is a rule that you must be over 82 years old before you are allowed to play one pocket. I don't look a day over 79 so so I can't play

Maybe after my next birthday i'll play a game or two

see you at Shakespears

Ted
 
Why do I hate one pocket. I don't hate one pocket I just don't have the requisite skills to do it well enough to like it.
 
Steve Lipsky said:
I hate it because I like to run balls. Lots of 'em. Not only is 1-pocket a short-rack game, but it's not easy like 9-ball. So you have to concentrate quite hard, but you don't even get the satisfaction of, say, running a hundred if you do it well.

As a wise man once said, "if I wanted to play chess, I'd play chess."
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Very well said. I see the beauty in the game, but rolling balls around just isn't fun for me. Doesn't mean I hate it, it just means I only have 1 or 2 good games in me before I get bored to death.
 
Alex Kanapilly said:
The thread on 8 ball being better for TV than 9 ball got me thinking. Why do so many veteran pool players dislike one pocket? I'm not talking about beginers, I get that, the game takes some skill and experience to play. But how can someone who's been playing pool for years not appreciate the beauty of the game?

There are many good players here in Denver and I'd guess at least half of them have no interest whatsoever in one pocket, I just don't get it.
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I watched Varner play a local guy in a one-pocket tournament up at Capone's a couple years back. After 45 minutes, there was no score and all they had done was move all the balls to the other end of the table. Not very exciting to watch.

As for me, I can't bank and I'm a terrible shot-maker. When and if I improve in those areas, I might give the game a chance.:)
 
I hate it because I like to run balls. Lots of 'em. Not only is 1-pocket a short-rack game, but it's not easy like 9-ball. So you have to concentrate quite hard, but you don't even get the satisfaction of, say, running a hundred if you do it well.

As a wise man once said, "if I wanted to play chess, I'd play chess."
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i havent read all the thread, but the above is a very good point.

apart from seeing a couple of short videos of one pocket, i've never seen it played properly, so i'm reserving my judgement. it may well be an amzing game for all i know.

but at the end of the day the biggest draw to pool for 99% of people is that sweet feeling you get from potting balls. and one pocket doesn't embrace that, so you can't be too harsh on people who don't like it.
 
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