It's the biggest gambling pool game in the USA, and there are only a couple of pros from different parts of the world that excel in it. I know alot of Europeans play straight pool, Filipinos play rotation, etc. I think one-pocket is the most difficult pool game to master, and it requires more thinking than in any other game. Any ideas?
Why Isn't 1-Pocket Popular in Other Countries?
- Thread starter cuetechasaurus
- Start date
efrensfans
Registered
ya I agree with you
one pocket is a very hard game.
But it seems other countries only like play 9 ball(especially Taiwan)
I am a Taiwanese
Everybody here all think great player only needs to play 9 ball well
I think its so stupid~~
Everytime I watch Efren played onepocket ,I can learn a lot~~
one pocket is a very hard game.
But it seems other countries only like play 9 ball(especially Taiwan)
I am a Taiwanese
Everybody here all think great player only needs to play 9 ball well
I think its so stupid~~
Everytime I watch Efren played onepocket ,I can learn a lot~~
For the same reason they never gamble in straight pool 
cuetechasaurus said:
With Efren being the hands-down most dominant one-pocket player out there, the game will gain more international exposure. It will take time, but we will see the game spread out a little more.
The Derby is attracting more and more international players and that will help as well.
Several of the best European players are silently practising their 1-pocket game, so maybe you guys are in for a surprise already at the next Derby!
So next time you ask a european to play 1-pocket, and he replies something like "one-pocket? can you explain the rules first?", then think twice before you offer him 10-6 and the breaks,
So next time you ask a european to play 1-pocket, and he replies something like "one-pocket? can you explain the rules first?", then think twice before you offer him 10-6 and the breaks,
I'm not convinced that one pocket requires more thinking than any other pool game. So much of one pocket is defensive in nature and requires nothing more complicated than simply moving your opponent's ball away from the pocket. IMO, 8-ball or straight pool requires more thinking than one pocket does.cuetechasaurus said:
1P is NOT popular at all in my home country, Singapore. In fact, it is almost unheard of, unless the pool player is globally connected (ie. goes on forums like these), or buys a lot of accustat matches.
I think the primary reason for Singapore not having 1P players is that Straight Pool, Bank Pool and 3-Cushion are not popular games. I don't even see the national players practice straight pool, I don't see anyone playing banks, and there might only be 2 3C tables in the whole of singapore. All 1P players have to be proficient in these games, especially Straight Pool and Bank Pool IMO. Most people still only play 8ball and 9ball in Singapore.
I think the primary reason for Singapore not having 1P players is that Straight Pool, Bank Pool and 3-Cushion are not popular games. I don't even see the national players practice straight pool, I don't see anyone playing banks, and there might only be 2 3C tables in the whole of singapore. All 1P players have to be proficient in these games, especially Straight Pool and Bank Pool IMO. Most people still only play 8ball and 9ball in Singapore.
efrensfans said:
Ei, Ni Hao Ma?
Yeah, it's a pretty shallow understanding on the game of pool. 9-ball is one of the most easiest pool game, since it involves lesser number of balls to pocket and lesser obstacles or lesser difficult layouts to maneuver.
CrownCityCorey said:
Efren had a lot to contribute to the 1P game. not only because of his excellent skill but because of his charisma in attracting people. you would be surprised that most of these international players from around the world, Efren is their favorite player. so that speaks for the game's success.
I've read some articles from the top European 9 ball and snooker players, that their favorite player is Efren.
Mainly they haven't really been exposed to it yet...
The bad news is, cuetechasaurus, you don't even have to leave the USA to find large geographical areas that don't see much One Pocket action
The good news is that the game usually does have a significant presence wherever pool action in general has a strong player base -- here in the States, anyway.
The other good news is that via the internet, and the success of the Derby City Classic, more and more strong international players are being exposed to the game. What's especially nice about the DCC is that for their 'all-around' bonus you need to enter all three events -- Banks, 9-Ball & One Pocket. That helps expose a lot of talented new players to One Pocket, and Banks for that matter.
The bad news is, cuetechasaurus, you don't even have to leave the USA to find large geographical areas that don't see much One Pocket action
The good news is that the game usually does have a significant presence wherever pool action in general has a strong player base -- here in the States, anyway.
The other good news is that via the internet, and the success of the Derby City Classic, more and more strong international players are being exposed to the game. What's especially nice about the DCC is that for their 'all-around' bonus you need to enter all three events -- Banks, 9-Ball & One Pocket. That helps expose a lot of talented new players to One Pocket, and Banks for that matter.
PoolSharkAllen said:
you must be kidding right? 8-ball and straight pool requires more thinking than 1P? I believe you're not that pretty well acquainted with 1P. I will give you enlightenment regarding this matter. 1P requires more skill, especially in CB control since your options are limited to only one pocket and one way or direction of manipulating or positioning the CB for the next pocketed ball. that means, in every shot made, you CB position on the next OB must be perfect. unlike 8-ball and straight pool where you have a lot of options where to pocket the object ball and it is easier to bring the CB back to your desired position because of those 6-pocket options. 1P is not defensive in nature, it is both offense and defense. you put yourself in a spot where you can position the OBs to your designated pocket so that it would be easier for you to run-out, a chance to pocket the balls and putting the CB where your opponent cannot go on the offensive or without compromising your position on the balls. if not, then you risk a sell-out rack for your opponent. it's one mistake, you die type of a game. 1P is like a chess game. it involves offense and defense. that is why 1P games and chess takes a longer time to finish because of the thinking factor. haven't you notice that both 8-ball and straight pool requires a lot of racks but ends quickly in a race to 8 format (ave.playtime 1 hr 30 mins) compared to 1P which is played with lesser racks in a race to 3 format but ends longer (ave.playtime 2 hrs) ? this is evident enough of the degree of difficulty of the game. people thought of extending the racks but it would be too much for the players already and also time consuming. what is more is that in 1P, the number of balls to be pocketed increases with every foul that you commit. if that weren't difficult enough, what if you need to pocket 12 balls and there are only a few balls left on the table (let's say 3) and those balls were positioned at your opponent's side? how would you able to pocket these balls on your side without giving up a shot for your opponent to finish you off? complicated isn't it?
seven said:
It is only boring for those people who don't like to think. the type who loves to bang away in every game. I can say that these people, dont like to play chess either.
Hail Mary Shot said:It is only boring for those people who don't like to think. the type who loves to bang away in every game. I can say that these people, dont like to play chess either.
This could, and has been, said of Straight pool. If you can immerse yourself in watching these games, there is a TON of stuff to be learned. The Ronnie Allen, Danny Diliberto matches come to mind, the shots and moves along with the verbal banter. Also, the tape of Dallas West running 100 balls and explaining along the way.
seven said:
At one time I too had this same attitude towards 1pocket. I thought I was a player when I started playing pockets....I even had 2- 100 ball runs under my belt, and I also thought I could control the cue-ball....I was sadly mistaken. NO GAME ON PLANET EARTH will teach you how to master ALL aspects of the pocket billiards like 1 pocket will!
I now see shots that were non-existent a year ago, and use them playing ALL games. I also absolutely LOVE watching 1 pocket....whereas not long ago drying paint was an option!
Gerry
the Gambler's Game
One pocket is a game in which you can conceal your ability or let it run loose. It for the most part, a gambler's game. There are several ways to beat an opponent when playing one pocket. If you know or learn what your opponent's weaknesses are, you play to those weaknesses while simultaneously playing to your strengths.
It is a more difficult game than that of the other disciplines as it requires the player to maximize his ability and minimize the opponent's ability. If you are a better shape player than you are a shooter, you pocket balls as you are able to but keep control of the cue ball so that you are either always in line or you make sure that your opponent does not have a shot.
If your strength is simply shooting balls in the hole, you should not gamble high at this game until you start working on your defensive skills, banking skills and "moving" skills and especially work on your matching up skills. In one pocket a player can hide his ability for long periods of time even days and weeks from an opponent. There isn't anything "mystical" about playing the game, but it is a game that is similar to chess or war?
To guarantee a win, I would much rather play someone one pocket who was strictly a nine ball player rather than a more rounded player who practiced all of the disciplines (including gambling). While I don't recommend gambling, it is a discipline in itself and your knowledge of knowing when to go on the offense and when to go on the defense in one pocket relates to gambling as far as instincts are concerned.
One pocket is far more difficult to learn and that is why many people do not want to play it especially for money. They will make up every excuse under the sun, including that the game is boring. It is truly far more exciting than any other game of billiards as it utilizes each skill that is primary to all other disciplines but you won't recognize the skills unless you possess them and so it is normal for most people to look at the game and say it is boring. One pocket is boring if you do not understand what you are looking at. Don't get me wrong playing one pocket doesn't have anything to do with intelligence, it has everything to do with mastering different aspects of the game of billiards as well as evaluating your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.
HOWEVER, once a person has mastered the different skills to play the game, one pocket takes on an entirely different look and the game no appears boring. Then and only then does the true game of one pocket become a game of intimate proportions.
Most people do not currently have what it takes to play one pocket and this isn't and egotistical statement. It is just the facts. As people continue the journey the gluttons for punishment will find the reward that is waiting for them in the game of one pocket.
JoeyA
cuetechasaurus said:
One pocket is a game in which you can conceal your ability or let it run loose. It for the most part, a gambler's game. There are several ways to beat an opponent when playing one pocket. If you know or learn what your opponent's weaknesses are, you play to those weaknesses while simultaneously playing to your strengths.
It is a more difficult game than that of the other disciplines as it requires the player to maximize his ability and minimize the opponent's ability. If you are a better shape player than you are a shooter, you pocket balls as you are able to but keep control of the cue ball so that you are either always in line or you make sure that your opponent does not have a shot.
If your strength is simply shooting balls in the hole, you should not gamble high at this game until you start working on your defensive skills, banking skills and "moving" skills and especially work on your matching up skills. In one pocket a player can hide his ability for long periods of time even days and weeks from an opponent. There isn't anything "mystical" about playing the game, but it is a game that is similar to chess or war?
To guarantee a win, I would much rather play someone one pocket who was strictly a nine ball player rather than a more rounded player who practiced all of the disciplines (including gambling). While I don't recommend gambling, it is a discipline in itself and your knowledge of knowing when to go on the offense and when to go on the defense in one pocket relates to gambling as far as instincts are concerned.
One pocket is far more difficult to learn and that is why many people do not want to play it especially for money. They will make up every excuse under the sun, including that the game is boring. It is truly far more exciting than any other game of billiards as it utilizes each skill that is primary to all other disciplines but you won't recognize the skills unless you possess them and so it is normal for most people to look at the game and say it is boring. One pocket is boring if you do not understand what you are looking at. Don't get me wrong playing one pocket doesn't have anything to do with intelligence, it has everything to do with mastering different aspects of the game of billiards as well as evaluating your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.
HOWEVER, once a person has mastered the different skills to play the game, one pocket takes on an entirely different look and the game no appears boring. Then and only then does the true game of one pocket become a game of intimate proportions.
Most people do not currently have what it takes to play one pocket and this isn't and egotistical statement. It is just the facts. As people continue the journey the gluttons for punishment will find the reward that is waiting for them in the game of one pocket.
JoeyA