One Pocket (Pool)
Officially One Pocket
STRATEGIC POCKET BILLIARDS variant on 9-FT POOL TABLE — 2 players each ASSIGNED 1 SPECIFIC CORNER POCKET (out of 6 total). Object: pocket 8 balls in YOUR pocket before opponent pockets 8 in theirs. All 15 numbered balls in play; balls to OTHER 4 pockets DON'T COUNT for anyone (though a ball pocketed in opponent's is TO OPPONENT). Emphasizes STRATEGY + DEFENSIVE PLAY over shot-making — sometimes called 'CHESS on a POOL TABLE.' HISTORIC AMERICAN game predating 9-ball; DERBY CITY CLASSIC + US OPEN ONE POCKET are top events.
Quick facts
Category
Precision Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~45 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
9-ft regulation American pool table (green baize)
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Emerged early 20th c. in southern USA pool halls (Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee); one of oldest American pool variants; slower + more strategic than 9-ball; enjoyed revival with LOUIE ROBERTS 1970s + EFREN REYES 1980s-90s; premier event: Derby City Classic One Pocket Championship (Louisville, KY, annually).
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
POCKET 8 OF 15 BALLS in YOUR ASSIGNED CORNER POCKET before opponent pockets 8 in theirs.
Rules
Basic rules
SETUP: 15 balls racked in TRIANGLE at foot spot (like 8-ball) — no specific ball order beyond bottom row
Signature standard-pool rack.
ASSIGNMENT: after break, players ASSIGNED 1 CORNER POCKET each (opposite corners at foot rail)
Signature 2-pocket assignment.
SCORING: any ball sunk in YOUR pocket = +1 to your score; ball sunk in OPPONENT'S pocket = +1 to OPPONENT; balls to other 4 pockets = SPOTTED back on table + no score
Signature 2-pocket scoring.
OBJECT: FIRST to 8 balls in own pocket wins
Signature first-to-8-in-own-pocket.
SCRATCH (cue ball in pocket): -1 penalty + BALL SPOTTED + opponent gets CUE-BALL IN HAND (behind head string)
Signature scratch penalty.
BALL IN HAND BEHIND HEAD STRING (following scratches or safeties)
Signature limited ball-in-hand.
STRATEGY: heavy DEFENSIVE play — burying opponent's cue behind clusters + blocking their pocket approach; some pros go 30+ INNINGS without a ball
Signature defensive-heavy tactical play.
MOVES: no ball needs to be CALLED (unlike 8-ball); combos, banks, kicks all count as long as ball goes to CORRECT pocket
Signature no-call rule.
Scoring
1 point per ball in own pocket; -1 penalty for scratch; opponent-pocket sinks credit opponent.
Win condition · First to 8 balls in own pocket.
Playing area
Called
9-ft regulation American pool table (green baize)
Dimensions
9 ft × 4.5 ft (2.7 m × 1.35 m) with 6 pockets (2 foot corners, 2 head corners, 2 side pockets)
Equipment
STANDARD POOL BALLS: 15 numbered (solids 1-7 + 8-ball + stripes 9-15) + cue ball
Standard pool ball set.
9-FT POOL TABLE (standard American Snooker-shaped is UK version)
Standard 9-ft American pool table.
STANDARD CUE STICKS
Standard pool cues.
STRAIGHT TALCUM + CHALK for cue tip
Standard billiards accessories.
Terminology
- Home pocket
- Player's assigned pocket.
- Spotted
- Ball placed back on foot spot (or nearest available).
- Inning
- One player's turn at the table.
- Move
- Defensive shot repositioning cue ball unfavorably for opponent.
- Bank
- Shot hitting rail before pocket.
- Kick
- Shot hitting rail before ball.
Major competitions
Derby City Classic One Pocket Championship (Louisville, KY)
annual (January) · Louisville, KY, USA · since 1999
US Open One Pocket Championship
annual · USA
Where it is played
Governing bodies
BCA — Billiards Congress of America
Founded 1948 · Broomfield, CO, USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Efren 'Bata' Reyes (PH, considered greatest one-pocket player ever, multi-Derby City Classic winner)
- Louie Roberts (US, 1970s legend)
- Grady Mathews (US, 'One-Pocket God')
- Shane van Boening (US, modern champion)
- Alex Pagulayan (CA/PH, US Open One Pocket winner)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — One-pocket— Wikipedia
- OnePocket.org— OnePocket.org