Recent content by thaitom

Teachers Mantra One of my first instructors in pool was a Brit who had taught pro snooker players including Jimmy White. Possibly because I was so inept he drilled into me to think through the following on every shot. 'See it, feel it (the cue movement), hold it (just before the shot), stay...

They were breaking from anywhere behind the line. By plastic mat I mean the black plastic thing you lay the balls on top of. I'm not sure of the name. The Japanese players brought it to Bangkok and I presumed it was Japanese in origin.

Not at all, they caught the night plane out of Bangkok and will be on hand for the knock out stages. Though I wondered myself about showing their showing up at the last minute but they're pros and know what works for them.

Well last night was the grand final of the Battles in Bangkok this past week. The big match was Shane Van Boening versus Darren Appleton at Hustler’s Pool hall. There were well over a hundred pool hounds in attendance including a contingent who did the two hour drive up from Pattaya, the other...

My apologies to the number of people that asked me to continue to post the activities of the visiting pro players here in Bangkok. I had to go over to Rangoon for a couple of days work but here is a recap of nights three and four and a look forward to the big match on Tuesday the 17th. On...

Sorry , as a novelist my field is words not pictures but you make a good point . There was a video being done. I 'll ask about getting some bits posted. It might be interesting to match up the power breaks by Cocoy and Shane. Both these guys were exploding the balls but still with control...

Battles in Bangkok – Part 2 The pool fans got to see two of our local international crew go up against our American visitors in a special Scotch Doubles Ten ball event on Tuesday night. The international team was CoCoy Villafuerte of the Philippines joined by Stuart Pettman of England. The...

No Cocoy just turned up on the scene. Some Pilipno friends introduced him to Hustlers. Stuart is the house pro. Not sure if he has a piece of the bar or not. Very agreeable guy and having started in the Snooker world, #35 at one time I believe, and then crossed over to pool he knows people and...

Well we have the Battles in Bangkok underway and they have nothing to do with the recent coup and martial law though I would impress on those overseas that now is a very safe time to come to Bangkok. With the army in charge the politically motivated killings of the last six months are now...

In my opinion Hustler's at the Times Square Bldg in Bangkok, between Sukhumvit Soi 12 and 14 is the best in Bangkok though there are four or five good places to play within a fifteen minute walk. There are a good number of low priced ($50 to $75) a night hotels in the area. This week, June...

Jelly Belly and his game I apologize for catching up to this thread a couple of months behind the times but I thought Jelly Belly might still be in the Philippines and another note might be of interest. I put a section on Jelly Belly in my book on the pool world in Bangkok, "Bangkok Pool...

Great International tournament Hey Monto, well done, theThai sponsors put on a great tournament and the beach resort town of Pattaya is the right setting. Not just the players but the audience was 80 per cent international. The competition level was very high. At the end of the day though...

Stevie Moore was carrying the flag for US pool in the current (Oct 1 -3 ) Pattaya (Thailand) 9 ball invitational and the American pool community can be proud of how he handled himself both on the table and off. This event is 1st time effort to bring some of the best players in the world together...

Good Pic Hey Cuaba, thanks for posting the pic. I understand you came second in the tournament. Good shooting.. Regarding the book , the feedback from players and non players has been really good. I am talking with Bob at Bebob and hope to have the books for US distribution in his hands in...

Its being done I think we in the pool world have to admit that its not new to have 2nd tier players betting against themselves and throwing matches, especially with the inconsistency of award money payouts. What is amazing is to have someone at the championship level get into this. A real...