One pocket

One pocket is a type of pool.

The famous American pool player "Minnesota Fats" allegedly said the game of one pocket was like chess, but admitted he had actually never played the game of chess. It is one of the highest tests of skill in all of pool. It requires great shot making skills, planning, and patience.

It is most like the game of straight pool. In both games you score points for pocketing balls, and each legally pocketed ball earns the shooter another shot. The penalties for making an illegal shot are similar.

The game has died out, but there is still at least one major one pocket tournament played in the United States which attracts top pool players. It has been said that the game is too slow for players raised on 9-ball and 8-ball.

The object is to score 8 points before your opponent does. At the beginning of the game the person breaking chooses a single bottom corner pocket. That shooter must make all of his balls in that pocket. The opponent must make his balls in the other bottom corner pocket.

The game is even described as having a beginning, a middle, and an 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 make that shot, and capitalize on it for successive shots. A player will even intentionally pocket their opponents ball losing a point in the process to prevent the player from being able to make that ball and get shape (ideal cue ball position,) on their next shot.

One of the most famous players of the game is "The Professor", Grady Mathews who has written books and articles on the game.

ONE POCKET

Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.

The rules of the game are as follows:

TYPE OF GAME One Pocket is a unique game in which only two of the six pockets are employed for legal scoring. Any ball may be played and need not be called. What is required is that an object ball falls in the player's "target" pocket. It requires a wide variety of strokes, cue ball control, shot-making ability, patience and defensive strategy.

PLAYERS 2, or 2 teams.

BALLS USED Standard set of object balls 1-15, plus cue ball.

THE RACK Standard triangle rack; balls placed entirely at random.

OBJECT OF THE GAME Score a total of eight object balls in a player's target pocket before opponent.

SELECTION OF POCKETS Prior to the opening break shot, the starting player chooses one of the corner pockets on the foot end of the table as a target pocket; the opponent then has the other foot end corner as a target pocket.

SCORING A legally pocketed ball is scored as one ball for shooter. Any ball pocketed in opponent's target pocket counts, unless the cue ball should scratch on the same shot. If the shot constitutes a foul other than a scratch, the opponent is allowed to keep the ball. A shooter's inning ends on a scratch or foul and any balls pocketed in the shooter's pocket don't count on a foul or scratch. In addition, the shooter is penalized one ball for a foul or scratch.

OPENING BREAK Starting player must (1) legally pocket an object ball into his targeted pocket, or (2) cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and after contact, at least two object balls must contact a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul. Note: The cue ball does not have to strike a rail on the opening break.

RULES OF PLAY

1. A legal shot requires that the cue ball contact an object ball and then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul.

2. A legally pocketed ball in a target pocket entitles shooter to remain at the table until failing to pocket a ball in the target pocket on a legal shot. Player may choose to shoot any object ball, any ball pocketed in the target pocket on an otherwise legal stroke is a scored ball.<p> 3. Balls pocketed in the four non-target pockets are "Illegally Pocketed Balls."<p> 4. Balls pocketed by a shooter in an opponent's target pocket are scored for the opponent, even if the stroke was a foul, but would not count if the cue ball should scratch or jump the table. However, if the stroke is not a foul and the shooter pockets a ball(s) in both target pockets, the shooter's inning continues, with all legally pocketed balls scored to the appropriate player. If a shooter pockets a ball that brings the opponent's score to the number opponent needed to win the game, the shooter has lost unless the cue ball scratches or jumps off the table.<p> 5. When a player has the cue ball in hand in front of the head string (as after a scratch) and all object balls are also behind the head string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted upon request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from the head string, the highest numbered ball is spotted.<p> 6. Four successive fouls by the same player is loss of game. </blockquote> ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS All spotted. Special spotting rules: When a ball(s) is pocketed in a non-target pocket, spotting is delayed until the shooter's inning ends. Should a player legally score the last ball(s) on the table while any illegally pocketed balls are being held for delayed spotting, those balls are then spotted so the player may continue the inning.