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"Minnesota Fats" once supposedly 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 penalities 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.
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