One-pocket
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One-pocket is a variation of pool. It is a two-player game played with the general conventions of Standard Rules of Pocket Billiards. A point is made when a player makes any ball into their designated pocket. The winner is the first to score 8 points. The player making the break (typically after winning the lag) chooses a bottom corner pocket to be theirs for the rest of the game. That shooter must make all of his balls in that pocket. The opponent must make his balls in the other bottom corner pocket.
One-pocket is similar to the game of straight pool in that both games allow you score points for pocketing balls, and each legally pocketed ball earns the shooter another shot. The penalties for a foul (illegal shot) is the loss of one point and in the case of a "scratch" the incoming player gets "ball in hand" behind the headstring. Unlike Straight pool (or 14.1) three consecutive fouls is often considered the loss of the game.
[edit] History
The famous American pool player Rudolph "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone allegedly said the game of one-pocket was like chess, later admitting that he had actually never played a game of chess. It is one of the highest tests of skill in all of pool, as it requires great shot-making skills, banking excellence, planning, and patience.
On the other hand, Willie Mosconi—perhaps the greatest pool player ever (high run of 526 at straight pool) [1]—called one-pocket a gimmick game for gamblers.
The game has even been described as having a beginning, middle, and end game like chess. A player must be careful not to leave their opponent with a good shot, or the opponent may be able to capitalize on a successful shot for successive shots. A player will even intentionally pocket their opponent's ball, conceding a point in the process, in order to prevent their opponent from being able to make that ball and get shape (ideal cue ball position) on their next shot.
The game is very popular with gamblers and one-pocket plays a major role in the yearly Derby City Classic which is played in Louisville, Kentucky each January. There are also large-scale one-pocket events such as the World One-Pocket Championship and the Legends of One-Pocket that take place yearly.
One of the most famous players of the game is "The Professor", Grady Mathews, who has written articles and published a number of instructional videos on the game. The two main reference works on one-pocket are Winning One-Pocket and One-Pocket Shots, Moves and Strategies, both written by player and gambler Eddie Robins. The books, now out of print, often sell on the used market for over $200 (US) each.
Another well-known one-pocket player is Efren Reyes. His victories in the game include the US Open One-pocket Championship in 2000 and the Derby City One-pocket event 2004-2007. His mastery of the games of rotation pool and 3-cushion billiards helped to make him a formidable one-pocket player.
A key component of one-pocket, for those who desire to place a wager on the game, is the almost endless variations in the handicap or spot that can be given to the weaker player. While the game in its most basic form is a race to be the first to pocket eight (8) balls, almost any variation on this number can be used. For example, a game can be played 7-8 -- termed I'm giving you 7 to 8 -- 6-8, 5-8 and so on. Other spots such as all the breaks can be given as well.
One of the most comprehensive listings of one-pocket spots was put together by Willie Jopling in his guidebook.
One-pocket frequently attracts high stakes gambling. It is a game of little luck and very high skill when played correctly.
[edit] References
- Robin, Eddie; Jack "Jersey Red" Breit, Ed "Champagne" Kelly (1993). Winning One-Pocket: As Taught by the Game's Greatest Players. Billiard World Pub. ISBN 0-936362-03-0.
- Robin, Eddie (1996). One-Pocket Shots, Moves and Strategies: As Taught by the Game's Greatest Players. Billiard World Pub. ISBN 0-936362-04-9.
- Koehler, Jack H. (1005). Upscale One-Pocket. Sportology Pubns. ISBN 0-9622890-3-5.
- Accu-Stats Videos (lots of different matches on tape or DVD)
[edit] External links
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