Is there something to this? Or not.

Miller said:

interesting subject....

i think (for all the reasons given and probably more) 1P is the hardest/most intricate game that there is - i guess that's what appeals to me. (i wouldn't walk around the corner to watch the best players in the world play 8/9/10 ball on a barbox - probably not a real pool table either.)

given all the talk about golf games lately, i have a belief/theory that going back and fourth from a snooker table to a pool table will screw up your game and requires some acclimation after playing on the big table with the small balls for a while (for me) - pool balls are much livelier, there is a different pocketing stroke, the angles and speeds are much different, etc. (imho)

Click to expand...

SJDinPHX said:

Well said Lou..I guess that's why you trounced Barton so easily at one pocket..You got him out of his deadly
accurate 9 ball 'stroke' ! :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Click to expand...

petie said:

Brio--good word. I like what you said here. I have always thought it was a way to not play but sound like you could.

Click to expand...

petie said:

... a guy from across the room who used to play (according to him) but who now plays strictly 9-Ball says, "He doesn't want to learn One Pocket because it will ruin his stroke for other games like 9-Ball." Does anybody here think that is true? What, if any, truth is there to it? ...

Click to expand...

straightback said:

Petie, there is no question that the speed, spins and strokes used for 1p are different than that of 9-ball. Similarly, there is no doubt in my mind that the bunting and safety play leave you ill-prepared for running out when you do get an open table. In my mind, being able to step up cold is just another one of the skills that is required to play 1p well.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is this - long, fairly straight shots at your pocket can be tough in 1p. However, 1p players like me jump right out of their chair at tough, off-angle shots that must be shot with a loaded inside ball. The same shots probably scare the hell out of a 9-ball player because he doesn't shoot them much. I played a ridiculously good ex-pro at 1p today and our session was no exception to my general observations.

Regarding DD, I agree - if he plays the same shots he calls in the booth, he would be a dead duck. I would also tell him this: that 4-rail kick you love is useful ONLY if the route isn't blocked by a ball. Go to the third rail and look at where the ball is coming off. Half the time he calls that shot (which is roughly once per game), the shot isn't even there.

My take on DD is that his game was sufficient for his era, where most folks were straight pool crossovers. That short punch stroke aint gonna cut it these days when the players will shoot you head off your shoulders.

Is anyone aware of Ronnie's stroke looked like in his heyday? Was it the same as it was in the '88 match?

Click to expand...

Yeh, Allen Hopkins couldn't be anyone with that, 'short punch' stroke! And, at ALL games, NOT one dimensional, like many players today!

Miller said:

interesting subject....

i think (for all the reasons given and probably more) 1P is the hardest/most intricate game that there is - i guess that's what appeals to me. (i wouldn't walk around the corner to watch the best players in the world play 8/9/10 ball on a barbox - probably not a real pool table either.)

given all the talk about golf games lately, i have a belief/theory that going back and fourth from a snooker table to a pool table will screw up your game and requires some acclimation after playing on the big table with the small balls for a while (for me) - pool balls are much livelier, there is a different pocketing stroke, the angles and speeds are much different, etc. (imho)

Click to expand...

straightback said:

Petie, there is no question that the speed, spins and strokes used for 1p are different than that of 9-ball. Similarly, there is no doubt in my mind that the bunting and safety play leave you ill-prepared for running out when you do get an open table. In my mind, being able to step up cold is just another one of the skills that is required to play 1p well.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is this - long, fairly straight shots at your pocket can be tough in 1p. However, 1p players like me jump right out of their chair at tough, off-angle shots that must be shot with a loaded inside ball. The same shots probably scare the hell out of a 9-ball player because he doesn't shoot them much. I played a ridiculously good ex-pro at 1p today and our session was no exception to my general observations.

Regarding DD, I agree - if he plays the same shots he calls in the booth, he would be a dead duck. I would also tell him this: that 4-rail kick you love is useful ONLY if the route isn't blocked by a ball. Go to the third rail and look at where the ball is coming off. Half the time he calls that shot (which is roughly once per game), the shot isn't even there.

My take on DD is that his game was sufficient for his era, where most folks were straight pool crossovers. That short punch stroke aint gonna cut it these days when the players will shoot you head off your shoulders.

Is anyone aware of Ronnie's stroke looked like in his heyday? Was it the same as it was in the '88 match?

Click to expand...

gulfportdoc said:

I think there is some truth to that. Playing 1P all the time WILL hurt one's 9-ball game. But I look at it the other way around. In order to keep up a good one-pocket game, it's important to play rotation games as well. Mike Surber always said to play 9-ball along with one pocket.

The reason is because in 9-ball it's routine to shoot long shots, which is not nearly as common in one-pocket. That's why so many of us have a tendency to miss longer shots in one-pocket, which, in 9-ball would be routine.

The spatial perceptions are a consideration as well. In 9-ball the player will use the entire table, sending the OB's and the CB up and down and all around. In 1P we commonly work the balls in much smaller areas. And the perception of what goes on in those areas is critical to the game. So when we must broaden the area, or switch areas, we're often not comfortable with it.

~Doc

Click to expand...

lfigueroa said:

Doc, lot to be said for cross training.

Lou Figueroa

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've always preferred cross trainers over cross dressers...

~Doc

gulfportdoc said:

Yeah, I've always preferred cross trainers over cross dressers...

~Doc

Click to expand...

straightback said:

The reason why I asked about RA's stroke is that if he was able to get out from everywhere like the stories tell, I would be surprised that he did it using the stroke he had in that video.

Click to expand...

straightback said:

The reason why I asked about RA's stroke is that if he was able to get out from everywhere like the stories tell, I would be surprised that he did it using the stroke he had in that video.

Click to expand...

bstroud said:

Ever look at Reyes' stroke?

Bill S.

Click to expand...

bstroud said:

Ever look at Reyes' stroke?

Bill S.

Click to expand...

androd said:

You certainly have to know what your stroke feels like, after bunting a while it's a mystery to those who haven't learned that. Shooting a lot gets you in rythm and you'll take it for granted, but if you can't turn it on when you need it, you'll have problems til you master that.
Rod.

Click to expand...

backplaying said:

I seem to miss balls playing one hole, I wouldn't think of missing playing 9 or 10 ball.

Click to expand...

lfigueroa said:

Petie, 1pocket is the toughest game. You need to have so many shots in your tool box... most 9ball players have no clue about.

Lou Figueroa

Click to expand...

straightback said:

While he does not pull his cue back in a straight line, his stroke is of sufficient length that that he can generate the speed and spin required to do anything.

While I would not teach his stroke to a new player, i can think of many players who have poorer fundamentals.

Click to expand...