Tips and Tricks

The most important element to consider in One Pocket is "the score," and positional situation must be included when determining "the score." If the ball count is 0-0 and my opponent has his pocket loaded up, and mine is clean as a hound's tooth, I am losing at that point. 0 to 0 is not a realistic assessment of the situation. Keep this thought in mind, whoever breaks and doesn't sell out a shot is "winning" at that point. The incoming player who is now on defense, is behind or "losing." He should be looking to take reasonable chances to try to turn the break around. If there are none, he should attempt to passively stall off anything worse happening for at least the next inning by taking a deliberate scratch in the stack, or just rolling the cue ball up table. When the original breaker comes back to the table with a still superior position, he should be looking for solid, high percentage moves to solidify or improve his advantage.

Another example: I am winning 3 balls to 0, but my opponent has me behind a ball, and his pocket is loaded with a ball hanging. In reality, am I still ahead?

The Elusive Mystical, "Concept of One Pocket" Part 1

The most simple mental solution in One Pocket, and the real secret of the game is:

"When you are behind, look to shoot or take chances. When you are ahead, play conservative and avoid taking

unnecessary chances. When you are even, play good favorable percentage shots."

Those are the only factors that should determine your shot selection. You should retain this thought process throughout the game.

the Beard

Situational percentage critique in One Pocket

Your opponent has made a very good break, but he leaves you a bank that is about even money to make. Even if you make it you will probably not run all the way out. Should you go for it, or elect to play a more conservative safety?

This is strategy I wouldn't have given up to my mother 10 years ago. Look it over good, because the next time you see it, it will be in a book I am going to write on One Pocket, and people will be paying for that advice. To explain it mathematically, even money is a 50/50 proposition. 50/50 means you should do it one out of two tries. So 1/2 the time you will make the bank and maybe run 1 or 2 more balls and then play a move or a safety. Once in awhile you will run all the out, but a good average for the situation is that you become a 6 to 5 favorite at the minimum after making the shot. 6 to 5 broke down over a hundred games will win you about 55 games and lose 45. If you miss, sometimes your opponent will run all the way out, and sometimes he will only get 2, 3 or 4 balls. A good average for that situation would be that your opponent becomes a 2 to 1 favorite to win. Over a hundred games he would win 67 and you would win 33. So over a 200 game run you would win about 88 games and lose 112 and come out [B]24[/B] games behind for the whole deal. But let's say you decide to not shoot and instead play passively against a strong break. A strong break unanswered would install your opponent as about at least a 7 to 5 favorite. That means over 100 games he would win about 59 and you would win 41. Take the proportion to 200 games and he would win 118 games and you would win 82. He would come [B]36 [/B] games ahead. So you would lose 12 more games by playing safe then by going for the bank shot. Keep in mind there was no way you could come out ahead in the proposition no matter which path you chose, you were just too far behind because of the bad position his good break put you in. However, taking the aggressive track would [B]minimize[/B] your losses.

One more thing, the very fact of [B]knowing [/B] that the shot is the right way to go, will give you a little extra confidence to bring the shot. You won't be shooting it with doubtful dread.

The One Pocket Break

It you ever intend to gamble playing One Pocket, it would be a profitable, lifetime rule, to never give up the break when you are spotting someone. The only exception to this rule is when you are spotting a very weak player who cannot run over 3 balls and can't make any long shots. I stopped giving up the break very early in my hustling career. It's just too hard to break someone down. Every time that you win a tough game your opponent can become re-energized and re- motivated because it is again his break; plus, he might make a ball on the break, or break so good that you can't get out of the trap. You can never get up any real momentum unless your opponent is a complete dog. Reverse the situation: Imagine that you just won a heroic game and snatched victory from defeat, and now it is your break! How would that sit psychologically with your opponent? It is much better to spot your opponent 9 to 7 or 10 to 8, or one game 9 to 7 and the next 10 to 8, and alternate breaks. Over a long session, fighting against the break will drain you like a sewer. Nine ball is even worse. Greg Stevens would give the world the 6,7,8 and 9 and he would take the break! I tried it with him. It was no good, and I could spot him a ball (9 to 8) playing banks. Cliff Joyner gives up gigantic spots, but if you notice, it is usually break apiece.

Side note: IMO the greatest player getting out of the break was Artie Bodendorfer. Followed in no particular order by Bugs Rucker, Ronnie Allen and Efren Reyes. Unless you play like those guys you had better play break apiece.

From the devious mind of the Beard