One Pocket Pool

How to Play One Pocket Billiards

One-pocket is considered by many to be the finest test of skill among all billiards games. In one-pocket pool, each shooter is a assigned a corner pocket become the game begins. This pocket is the only one in which that shooter legally can make shots.

Otherwise, one-pocket looks similar to a game of straight pool or eight-ball. Shooters alternate shots in what are called innings. Each inning lasts until a player fails to pocket a ball, and then the opponent gets a turn to attempt to do the same.

Scoring in One-Pocket

One-pocket players score a point for placing a ball in the correct corner pocket. Since there are 14 balls on the table, the first player to 8 wins the game.

Penalties

Penalties are assessed with the loss of a point in one-ball. Penalties occur when a player fouls when making a shot.

Common Fouls

One-ball is played using the foul rules found in the Standard Rules of Pocket Billiards. Here is a list of common fouls.

Scratching in One-Ball

A one-ball scratch does not cost a player a point. Instead, the opponent has a ball-in-hand from somewhere behind the headstring.

Defense Wins in One Pocket

One-ball billiards requires a player to use defensive strategy more than in most other forms of billiards. Instead of sinking balls, it is common to see players group balls around one pocket. This forces the opponent to make defensive shots, in fear of taking fouls which could cost the player the win. The act of making a defensive shot in one-shot billiards is called a flyer.

One-Pocket Billiards Gambling

One-pocket is considered a good billiards game on which to gamble, because the scoring system lends itself to handicapping. For instance, a minor handicap would be a game of 7-8 One-pocket. In this game, the lesser player would only need to pocket 7 balls, while the superior player would need to sink the standard 8 object balls.

Depending on the skill of the player, the number of balls needed to be pocketed by the lesser player can be lowered. Therefore, you might hear players talk about 6-8 or 5-8 one-pocket billiards.

Conflicting Opinions

Minnesota Fats is said to have compared one-pocket billiards to chess, because of the degree of strategy involved. The more understates Willie Mosconi said that one-pocket billiards was a "gimmick game" used by gamblers and hustlers.

Books on One-Pocket Pool

Eddie Robins wrote the two most respected books on one-pocket pool. These titles were "One Pocket Shots, Moves and Strategies" and "Winning One-Pocket".

Grady "The Professor" Matthews is considered the world's greatest one-ball competitor. Grady Matthews has written extensively on the game in such periodicals as InsidePOOL Magazine, Billiards Digest and The National Billiard News.

Elfen Reyes is among the best of the current one-ball champions on the professional circuit.