"In my view, sports betting is the key to making one pocket and pool in general go. "
I agree, and think it is especially true of one-pocket. The percentage of shots that don't result in a ball being pocketed bores people who don't know enough about it to appreciate its complexity. But, I think there are lots of people who will watch and bet on one pocket without understanding the game.
Reminds me of a joke you've probably heard, but like my grandmother used to say, "I'm going to tell it anyway because I like to hear it."
A guy makes a $200 bet on Thursday nite football, and loses. LSU is playing Friday nite, so he bets $400 LSU-9; they win by 7. Saturday he bets three teams, $300 each, and a couple of parlays. All lose. Now he's looking at the Sunday NFL sheet, and considering his finances. He's down $1700. The good news is, now he knows he's "due." He bets $800 each on two teams, and $1600 on the cinch.
One of his $800s hits right on the number, so at least he saves that $800, but he blows the other two.
Monday night football, -$4100, and he's desperate. He bets $3000 on the dog and $1500 on the under. His bookie says, "Frank, are you OK on this? I know you as a $200 bettor. You got a burr under your saddle?"
"Nah, nah, don't worry, no problem."
Naturally, the worst happens. Now he's down over $8000, and his wife is gonna kill him. He spends all day Tuesday making the rounds of friends that might lend him some cash. Not much luck.
Evening comes and he doesn't know of any sports action. He calls his bookie and asks, What's goin' tonight?"
"Not much, Frank, but you're gonna have to take care of what you owe before we do any business."
"No problem," he says, "I got about $4000 cash I can bring you and I'll have the rest Thursday." So he takes the bookie $3300.
"Good man, Frank, but the only thing goin' on tonight is college hockey."
"Hockey! What the f**k do I know about hockey?