If you want to improve your overall game skill in pool, straight pool is probably one of the best games you can play. If you have any type of weakness in your game, straight pool will find it. Straight pool is also one of the easiest games to play solo, just keep track of your high run and always try to better your score. Straight pool forces high precision, solid stroke, mental focus, pattern play, cluster breaking, break shot control, and countless other nuances that make a great pool player. If you play 8 ball, straight pool is about as close as it gets since there is a lot of short shot control, cluster breaking and an end pattern for a key ball. If 9 ball is your game, straight pool will be teaching you control of one, two and three rail routes for shape. If you want to get better at pool, there is no better teacher than straight pool.
That said, if you want to get better at banking and kicking specifically, throw one-pocket into the mix! Watch LOTS of one-pocket and straight pool matches, you’ll learn far quicker than just banging balls around.