RICK PRINCE
ONE POCKET PATTERN PLAY
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n the Game of “One Pocket,” the pattern play is leaves them with no straight-in shot options. endless, and the types of shots and layouts are limitless. In fact, it often causes them to have to bank their shot. Leaving them close to their pocket can prove In “One Pocket,” you’ll find that there are very few “ to be frustrating and counterproductive for them. It’s Hard and Fast Rules,” and a lot of the patterns aren’t also a great pattern play and strategic move to fall so common, as opposed to other Pocket Billiard back on when you’re not sure what your next move games. should be. For this reason, One Pocket is the game to play if you The intricacies and high characteristics of One Pocket want to use your creativity and imagination to its it analogous to a game of Chess. fullest. Just like in Chess, One Pocket can be broken into three One of the reasons One Pocket is one of the hardest basic components: the beginning game, consisting of games out there is simply because every skill in pool both typical and not-so-typical opening moves; the that you’ve ever developed comes into play. middle game, in which balls tend to get shifted to the other end of the table; and finally, the end game, in Shooting dead straight, cue ball control, controlling which one or both opponents only need just one ball the object balls, safety play, kick shots, bank shots, for the win, and this is when you’ll generally see a lot caroms, and much more. of defensive play. That’s right, every conceivable shot can come into At the end of the game, only a few balls will be left, and play in a single game. the odds are high that either you or your opponent will need only to pocket one more ball for the win. Because of the unpredictable nature of the game, you’ll never be able to think a full rack ahead. In the next article, I will be covering “The One Pocket Break”! And some of the various shots that you’ll Too many situations change. The balls get moved need in your bag to be successful at One Pocket! around, and you’ll never know what your last ball will be. Until then... There’s always one excellent place to leave the cue HappyShootin’ ball, and that’s generally as close to your opponent’s pocket. From “The White Wolf” Leaving your opponent close to their pocket generally SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE
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