Since I'm in Thailand I passionately practice a new hobby, namely pool billiards. It is extremely popular in this country where you can play it almost anywhere, in bars, restaurants or pool halls.

I didn't know it because in my time there was not (a lot) played on a table with holes (pockets) in the Netherlands, but on an ordinary billiard table with 3 balls. Of course I have played that too, on Saturday afternoon with friends in a café, normally the libre game or ten over red. I wasn't really good, I thought a series of 6 or 7 caroms was already very good. I have never played in a competitive context, but those afternoons were always fun.

Here it started with regular visits to a large beer bar that had a pool table. Timidly trying to aim those balls in the pockets and that was not easy at all. Fortunately, I got help from an English friend who introduced me to the rules and gave me tactical instructions. It got better and better but now after many years I'm still a mediocre player who plays it with great pleasure.

There is quite a difference between our billiards and pool billiards. In our billiards you usually give the cue ball an effect such that after the first ball has been hit, that ball rolls in the direction of the second ball. This will score you a point. Of course you try to “keep over”, but the most important thing is to score that point. In pool billiards, you basically give the cue ball no effect, but hit the so-called object ball in such a way that it disappears into a pocket. The better you are at this game, the better you also give the cue ball an effect to put that ball in a good position for the next shot.

Popular in Thailand

In Thailand, billiards are not played as we do in the Netherlands. A Belgian restaurant here in Pattaya tried it, but had to get rid of the table due to lack of space and lack of interest. Pool billiards is practiced throughout Thailand, even in the smallest villages. In my wife's village in the Isaan there is also a small pool hall with 3 snooker tables. Quality of these tables leaves a lot to be desired, but hey, it's about the fun, isn't it? This form of pool billiards is very popular in the countryside because you can play well for money with it. I participated once, you play with a number of players and through a complicated system you win or lose money. I quickly won 200 Baht and lost it again in about ten minutes.

The variants of pool billiards most commonly played in Thailand are:

1. Snooker: the game with the red and colored balls on a very large table. The idea is that you pocket a red ball and a colored ball alternately. The colored ball then returns to the table until all the red balls are pocketed, after which the colored balls are pocketed in a prescribed order.

2. 8-ball: 15 numbered balls on the table, nos. 1 to 7 are evenly colored, nos. 9 to 15 have a white band (or half colored, a Dutchman once said), number 8 is the black ball. Two players each have to pocket 7 balls and lastly the number 8. In Thailand, different rules are played, Thailand has its own rules, then there are the Old English rules and the better players play according to International Rules.

3. 9-ball: Only the first 9 balls come on the table, which must be pocketed in order from 1 through 9. You always play on the lowest numbered ball, if you don't pocket it, but if you do hit another ball that gets pocketed, you keep your turn. If you pocket the number 9 ball in this way, you win the game without pocketing all the balls. Good players usually stick to the order, but lesser players often try to pocket that 9 ball earlier with surprise.

4. 10-ball: a more difficult variant of the 9-ball game, where you have to explicitly say (nominate) in which pocket the ball will disappear.

(Great Pics – Ben Heine / Shutterstock.com)

Snooker

Here in Pattaya you can play all variants, the Thais play a lot of snooker in the special snooker halls. Many bars, restaurants and beer complexes have a pool table where you can play a game with your own company or – of course – with a Thai lady. Due to a lack of space, they are usually smaller tables where you can play for a drink or money or not. There are also many tournaments where you can win money, the amount of which depends on the number of players. In this regard, the tournaments in Insomnia in Walking Street are very popular.

I practice my hobby in a large pool hall, called Megabreak, in Soi Diana. A hall with 14 game tables, a good bar, dining options, large TVs for football or videos and a cozy lounge area. You can divide the visitors into the “regular customers” (including me), the visitors who regularly come to Pattaya from Europe and the tourists who often play a game with their Thai partner. The last category usually plays 8-ball, but 9- and 10 ball are the most popular among the others.

We (I'm pretty much part of the furniture, so I speak of "we" without having any financial interest in the matter) organize as many as four tournaments every week, on Wednesdays for 10 ball, on Thursdays and Sundays for 9 balls and the Tuesday is popular as Ladies' Night. I arrange those competitions and schedule the matches. Recently a Japanese guy approached me and asked me if I was the Tournament Director. Now I'm not really that but thought it was a nice title so I said a resounding "yes".

Tournament

Do you have to be a good player to enter those tournaments? The answer is No, because we play with a handicap system so that basically every player can win. On Sundays we have a 12 class system where you have to win more or less frames depending on your handicap. I myself am ranked low and if I have to play against someone from the highest class then he has to win 12 frames against me but 2. That seems easy but I don't succeed every time. Still, I regularly win a prize and have even won the tournament twice. That is possible with 9 ball, because I often win with surprise shots. My “speciality” is the so-called combo, I hit with the cue ball then the 9 ball in the pocket and win the frame.

Well, there is still so much to tell about the game, the tournaments and Megabreak itself, I'd say come and see for yourself. In the afternoon it is fairly quiet and if you are alone, one of the lovely ladies will gladly play a game with you (on the pool table that is!). In the evening it is pleasant to stay in Megabreak and most tables are often occupied. Ask for Albert - that's how they know me here - and I'll tell you everything you want to know about this subject.

– Reposted article –

About this blogger

Gringo
Gringo
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!

12 Responses to “Pool billiards in Thailand”

  1. Jacobus says up

    Sometime in January and February I went to the MEGABREAK 3 times but found the door closed. In the Netherlands I always play billiards. Forced to play pool billiards in Thailand. But I also like that game. However, in the place where I live, Nakhon Nayok, there is no table to be found. Not even in neighboring Prachin Buri. Perhaps readers of this blog know a bar or pub with a table in these small provinces. Please comment.

    • Gdansk says up

      Also in my province of Narathiwat there is no possibility to play pool, because the Muslims do not appreciate this kind of entertainment. Personally I don't mind, but among the Buddhists there are enthusiasts who have to go all the way to Hat Yai for this. After all, Yala and Pattani also do not allow entertainment.

    • Thick says up

      Nice to see a fellow farang in Nakhonnayok. I live here myself. According to my wife: Snooker society. Phone number is: 095-7707567. Nice to meet you. Maybe we'll meet each other sometime...I believe there are only 5 farangs here. You can recognize me by the smurf blue Kawasaki ninja. Maybe we can shoot a ball together 😉

  2. Louis says up

    In every hamlet you can find a snooker table, but often of mediocre quality and the game is much more difficult. But it's better than nothing.

  3. Manolito says up

    Jacobus
    Just in front of the swimming pool in nakhon nayok
    do they have 2 snooker tables

    14.193680, 101.224708 this is the address if correct. Is

    • Manolito says up

      One street in front of suwanason 17 alley
      I see now

  4. Apple300 says up

    Here are 2 snooker tables
    In nakhon nayok
    Just in front of the pool
    14.193680, 101.224708
    Greetings

  5. keespattaya says up

    Since it's megabreak I've never walked in. Well, once when it was still the Bavaria restaurant. I visit the area quite a lot, especially the bars as you walk towards Soi Buakaw. It's quite pleasant there sometimes. Maybe you should drop by megabreak sometime. At least if I can “just” drink a bottle of Leo without playing pool.

  6. grain says up

    Hello Gringo,

    I know very few restaurants that also have a pool table. Perhaps in those Thai eateries, but I wouldn't call that a restaurant. The space occupied by a table could be better used for a fancy dining table. And I suspect that guests don't like the tapping of the balls and the noisy players either. Anyway .

    • keespattaya says up

      555. In my opinion, Megabreak is not a restaurant. What I wrote was that it was a restaurant BEFORE it became a pool hall. I'm talking about 25-30 years ago now. Back then it was called Bavaria and the Thai waitresses walked around in German costumes.

  7. Yes says up

    I have had the pool competition for a number of years
    Organized in Patong, Phuket. About 14 bars participated. Also big events with sponsors. In addition I wrote pieces in the Phuket News about the weekly competitions. I prefer to play 8ball with or without handicap and of course International rules. Your piece is very nice and complete. I only miss the popular killer pool that
    often played in bars. For example, everyone puts in 100 baht. You get three lives. You can pocket any ball. If you miss, you lose a life. If you miss three balls you are out. The pot is divided among the last 3 players.

    I regularly visit Jomtien and know Megabreak. If you would like to play 8 ball sometime, please let me know. Otherwise I'll come and watch your tournaments sometimes.

  8. Peter says up

    Come to Pataya regularly and enjoy playing pool. Megabreak is an ideal place for this. Well-kept tables and very nice staff and of course I also see my fellow player Gringo. That Dutch guy who always manages to beat me with his damn combos. It is always very nice there. Greetings from Belgium.


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