ONE POCKET POOL

One-pocket is a variation of pool, played with pool cues. 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.

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, patience and pool cue control.

On the other hand, Willie Mosconi—perhaps the greatest pool player ever (high run of 526 at straight pool) —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 conceived by player and gambler Eddie Robins. The books are available at a stiff premium over their original price with copies regularly bringing over $200 (US) each.

Another player well-known playing one-pocket 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.

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 the most basic form is a race to see who can first 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.

Rules

One pocket - is a form of pocket-billiards in which each opposing side has one of the foot pockets in which to sink their balls. Both players can not have the same foot pocket. The winner is the first player to score any eight balls in their pocket. The standard set of object-balls numbered 1 to 15, plus the cue-ball are used. A player scores a ball when they legally pocket a called ball in their pocket, or when their opponent shoots a ball into his pocket, whether the opponents stroke was legal or not.

PLAYERS
2, or 2 teams.

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.
3. Balls pocketed in the four non-target pockets are "Illegally Pocketed Balls."
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.
5. When a player has the cue ball in hand behind 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.
6. Three successive fouls by the same player is loss of game.

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.