How are one-pocket and bank pool played?
A · Advanced · Other games · 8 of 8In one-pocket each player is given one of the foot-end corner pockets, and the first to sink eight balls into their own pocket wins the rack. In bank pool only called bank shots count: the player names the ball, the cushions and the pocket. Fouls in both cost a point, often paid by spotting a scored ball.
How it works
- One-pocket pockets: the breaker chooses a foot pocket, the opponent gets the other.
- One-pocket scoring: a ball in your own pocket is a point; eight wins the rack.
- Balls in other pockets: spotted; a ball pocketed in the opponent's pocket on a foul counts for the opponent.
- No break rules: in one-pocket there are no special requirements for the break.
- Bank pool racks: nine balls in a diamond, first to five, or fifteen in a triangle, first to eight.
- A valid bank: the player names the ball, the cushions in order and the pocket; the cue ball must hit that ball first, and it must not touch other balls or uncalled cushions.
- Bank pool break: four balls to cushions if none is pocketed.
- Fouls: minus a point; the cue ball stays, except after a scratch, when it is in hand above the head string.
- Owed balls: a player with no scored ball to spot for a foul owes one.
- Three fouls: lose the rack in both games.
The glossary has the bank shot, the rack, the call shot, the break shot, the standard fouls and the stalemate.
Tricky cases
In one-pocket, a player pots a ball in the opponent's pocket. Who scores?
The opponent, as with any ball in their pocket.
In bank pool, the called ball touches the cushions next to the pocket on its way in. Is that an uncalled cushion?
No. Incidental contact with the two cushion sections beside the target pocket is ignored.
A player with no points fouls. How is the penalty paid?
A marker shows a ball is owed, and it is spotted when the player next scores.
Both players score their winning ball on the same shot in one-pocket. Who wins?
The shooter.
Why the rule exists
Both games test control and planning more than potting. One-pocket turns every shot into a fight over one corner, and bank pool makes every point a planned shot off one or more cushions.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One-pocket | Eight balls in your own pocket | WPA 12 |
| Bank pool | Called bank shots only | WPA 13 |
| Straight pool | Any called ball scores | WPA 7 |
From the rule book
World Pool-Billiard Association, Rules of Play (effective 15 September 2025), One-Pocket 12 and Bank Pool 13. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WPA Rules of Play, revised from time to time.