Belgian winner Megabreak pool billiards tournament
You may know that one of my hobbies here in Pattaya is pool billiards, which I practice in Megabreak Poolhall and also help organize the tournaments there. Last year we had about 150 again, because three times a week there is the possibility to participate in a tournament.
This is used a lot, we have an average of around 30 players per tournament. The players come from many different countries, I think we had players from more than 50 nationalities this year.
Variety
The players can live permanently in Pattaya or elsewhere in Thailand, or spend the winter here or come on holiday once or several times a year. The level of the players is also very different, there are (very) good players, but the vast majority have less quality. However, it doesn't make any difference to the tournament, because the unique personal handicap system means that every player really has a chance to win a tournament or at least win prizes.
Peter deJaeger
Peter de Jaeger from Ghent is such a player, who you cannot call a class player, but who does his best to improve his game during his holiday in Pattaya, but above all to enjoy it. Peter is the police commissioner in his hometown and he, accompanied by his charming Thai wife Boonlom, come to Pattaya twice a year. They have been choosing Pattaya for about three years now, which they know well and are of course regular customers at Megabreak.
Tournament winner
Each tournament has a winner, which of course does not mean world news, but it is nice that Peter was the first Belgian to win a tournament just before Christmas this year. He has won prizes before and even won a tournament in a previous year and for a holidaymaker, who never stands at a billiard table in his own country, it remains something special. This time he may have been inspired by his wife, who made it to the final a week earlier, but lost miserably. Winning a tournament earns you a small cash prize, a photo on the website and “eternal fame” in the Megabreak archives.
Belgium Netherlands
Since I live in Pattaya it makes sense that I play more tournaments than Peter. So I should play better than Peter, unfortunately that is not the case. I regularly had to play against Peter in the tournaments and I think that the mutual score is in favor of Peter. That one time! In the spring of this year we played a real Belgium – Netherlands in the final, which I miraculously won! Like this!
Finally
During the tournaments on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday it is always fun, because fun is paramount. Winning is fun, but the international contacts while enjoying a drink and a snack are much more important. Unfortunately, many Belgians and Dutch people don't come there, so if you can "hold a cue" I invite you to come by.
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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Been to Megabreak last year to play a "game" of pool.
Cozy outfit!
Only as a Dutchman did I notice that the floor is not fully maintained.
“But who gives a….”
Have a nice evenings!!
Willem
I wish you all all the pool fun in the future.
Unfortunately for me, I am not a night raven, fortunately for you, I am not, otherwise the winner would have been known before the start of the evening!
What am I supposed to do with all those cups and such?
Many happy evenings 555
Dear Thailandblog readers. I'm not a great writer and certainly not a great speaker, but I can't resist responding to Gringo's column, especially since I'm more or less the subject of his article. I have been coming to Pataya for four years now, on a regular basis two or three times a year. My billiard passion ended up in Megabreak and together with my wife (Boonlom) I experience sporting heydays there (daily). I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Megabreak staff and in particular Albert and Scott for making my stay in Pataya even more enjoyable. Wishing you a pleasant transition into 2018.
I will be arriving in Pattaya January 2nd. Where can I find the Megabreak? Happy New Year and a prosperous and sporty 2018.
Bottoms
Soi Diana, from Second Road after about 100 meters on the right. Just after the Papagayo, also nice. :-).
After the Papagayo, resist all the lovely ladies in the beer bar complex, and then you're there. It's just a small door, but a beautiful pool room.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sa9ysClfKnH8BaEN2