One-pocket

One-pocket (sometimes spelled one pocket or 1-pocket) is a pocket billiards game. Unlike other games played on a pocket billiard table where any pocket can be used to send in object balls, only two pockets (one for each player) are used in this one. The object of the game is to score points. A point is made when a player pockets any object ball into his/her designated pocket. The winner is the first to score an agreed-upon number of points (usually 8).

If a player pockets an object ball in a pocket other than those at the foot of the table, he/she loses his/her turn, and that object ball is respotted. And if the player pockets an object ball in the opponent's pocket, his/her turn also ends but the opponent earns a point.

One-pocket is similar to straight pool being that a player can shoot at any object ball regardless of its color or number. Also, penalties for a foul are the loss of 1 point, re-spotting a previously pocketed ball if possible, and in the case of a "scratch" the incoming player gets ball in hand behind the head string.