[WPA / Joy Billiards] Heyball World Investment

[Flakeandrun]

Do regular smucks like us typically play 9 ball, snooker, or heyball when they play socially in China?

For the most part, they are playing Chinese-8, or a version of this on an American table (what is basically Chinese-8, but with calling the pocket for 8-ball - which annoys the living hell out of me)

There are small communities of 9-ball, and other American table based games - I like Chinese-8, but I prefer American table based games.

I played snooker for 20 years or so, but the community for this in Shanghai changed. So I moved onto Chinese-8, so I could play more socially with friends, and then found an American hall shortly after, when a friend would play there every Friday and I'd tag along.

There are areas in China regarded for having a high amount of snooker players, and there are areas where a large percentage of good Chinese-8 players gravitate too or are from.

I think outside of BJ, SH, GZ and Xiamen, you'd be hard pressed to find pool halls with large amounts of American tables. I think the general attitude is to move people towards playing Chinese-8, making it more accessible etc (it's 'their' game after all)

 

[justnum]

They have to promote Heyball more on social media so the world can see how they promote.

 

[Flakeandrun]

@Flakeandrun can probably answer better. I really only saw 8-ball/heyball There are a few guys on my work group that I would play 9-ball with, but that was the only rotation games I’d seen.

I did once see three guys play something that looked like cut throat for 100RMB ($13-ish) per ball on a Chinese table. These guys were absolutely tanked though, and it took them well over an hour to get through the rack.

Is that the game they play with 6-balls and cards?
They play a few card based games for petty gambles (small money. cigs, light fee etc)
More often than not, gambling is a result of lots of alcohol and shit talk lol
'Luck' and being 'lucky' are big parts of the culture.

I have a few friends that I played socially to begin with, and that was primarily 8-ball. Then I met some guys who played 9-ball who invited me to some local tournaments. Since I started competing in some local tournaments, I got added to some player groups. Which is always a mystery as to the standard of the opponent when you post 'Anyone playing today' - you might get a random add you, then meet up to find they are 'God level' - I'd say that there is a social aspect to this, but these groups are primarily for players looking to improve their game, more than it is socializing.

 

[kling&allen]

For the most part, they are playing Chinese-8, or on a version of this on an American table (what is basically Chinese-8, but with calling the pocket for 8-ball - which annoys the living hell out of me)

There are small communities of 9-ball, and other American table based games - I like Chinese-8, but I prefer American table based games.

I played snooker for 20 years or so, but the community for this in Shanghai changed. So I moved onto Chinese-8, so I could play more socially with friends, and then found an American hall shortly after, when a friend would play there every Friday and I'd tag along.

There are areas in China regarded for having a high amount of snooker players, and there are areas where a large percentage of good Chinese-8 players gravitate too or are from.

I think outside of BJ, SH, GZ and Xiamen, you'd be hard pressed to find pool halls with large amounts of American tables. I think the general attitude is to move people towards playing Chinese-8, making it more accessible etc (it's 'their' game after all)

Thanks for the helpful perspective.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Thanks for the helpful perspective.

No problem. It's just one persons view based on what I see, experience and interact with. I hope the communities of American table based games can stay strong. I know a lot of places are gravitating toward Heyball with all the perceived money and hype that's injected. As I mentioned in another thread, even the American table based halls have been leaning into Chinese-8, or planning to incorporate Chinese-8 into their existing set-up (where as I feel that these stores that have always catered to American billiards, actually could really nail their place down more strongly with further investment into American tables at this time)

 

[justnum]

If they open to foreign investment they can manage a larger population with their sports management.

American tourists go to American tables then get the invite to the Heyball because of the free promotion and bus ride.

Usually they get free 20 plus bus trip to spend on games at the entertainment center. It gets people out the house and its not usually the same people.

 

[kling&allen]

No problem. It's just one persons view based on what I see, experience and interact with. I hope the communities of American table based games can stay strong. I know a lot of places are gravitating toward Heyball with all the perceived money and hype that's injected. As I mentioned in another thread, even the American table based halls have been leaning into Chinese-8, or planning to incorporate Chinese-8 into their existing set-up (where as I feel that these stores that have always catered to American billiards, actually could really nail their place down more strongly with further investment into American tables at this time)

And do people actually call it Hei ba (too lazy to add the tones on this keyboard) or is it called something else in mandarin or Cantonese ?

 

[Justaneng]

Is that the game they play with 6-balls and cards?
They play a few card based games for petty gambles (small money. cigs, light fee etc)
More often than not, gambling is a result of lots of alcohol and shit talk lol
'Luck' and being 'lucky' are big parts of the culture.

I have a few friends that I played socially to begin with, and that was primarily 8-ball. Then I met some guys who played 9-ball who invited me to some local tournaments. Since I started competing in some local tournaments, I got added to some player groups. Which is always a mystery as to the standard of the opponent when you post 'Anyone playing today' - you might get a random add you, then meet up to find they are 'God level' - I'd say that there is a social aspect to this, but these groups are primarily for players looking to improve their game, more than it is socializing.

Yeah I think it’s the one with the cards. I remember thinking we should ask how to play, but they still had 2 unopened bottles of Baijiu sitting there and we were all coming off hangovers in our own right so it was best just to stay away.

Baijiu; A Chinese “white wine” that tastes remarkably like how you would imagine paint thinner to taste. If you’re a special guest (as any foreigner who’s hanging out in a rural Chinese pool hall would be), you’re going to have to take a shot with everybody once they get started on it.

 

[justnum]

Yeah I think it’s the one with the cards. I remember thinking we should ask how to play, but they still had 2 unopened bottles of Baijiu sitting there and we were all coming off hangovers in our own right so it was best just to stay away.

Baijiu; A Chinese “white wine” that tastes remarkably like how you would imagine paint thinner to taste. If you’re a special guest (as any foreigner who’s hanging out in a rural Chinese pool hall would be), you’re going to have to take a shot with everybody once they get started on it.

Its good to know karaoke songs popular by region and age. Everyone wants to use a microphone.

Know the children's rhymes with good quality tonal singing. Even better if you support religious values.

 

[Flakeandrun]

And do people actually call it Hei ba (too lazy to add the tones on this keyboard) or is it called something else in mandarin or Cantonese ?

My friends call it 黑球 hei qiu 'hey cho' - black ball - Maybe there is another name for it and this is slang? Maybe that's just what they call it cause we are playing on an American table? But just about everyone I have spoken to calls it this. I guess 黑八 hei ba 'hey bah' - black 8 is where 'heyball' comes from... I will ask my friend and find out for you.

Baijiu; A Chinese “white wine” that tastes remarkably like how you would imagine paint thinner to taste. If you’re a special guest (as any foreigner who’s hanging out in a rural Chinese pool hall would be), you’re going to have to take a shot with everybody once they get started on it.

Hey now! Some Baijiu is gloriously flavorful... sweet and warm. Some taste like motor oil... The hardest part is discerning which is which when all the bottles of each brand can look pretty similar sometimes... MouTai is case in point. Had a nice expensive bottle gifted and it was beautiful, bought what looked like the same bottle, and it was vile

They are very generous with the drinks and cigarettes! You are right about that... probably would have been good for your hangovers

The name of the game is something to do with airplanes, I'll find out from a friend. I have played it a couple of times before, but don't really get it still... as you said... drinks involved! haha

 

[Black-Balled]

No problem. It's just one persons view based on what I see, experience and interact with. I hope the communities of American table based games can stay strong. I know a lot of places are gravitating toward Heyball with all the perceived money and hype that's injected. As I mentioned in another thread, even the American table based halls have been leaning into Chinese-8, or planning to incorporate Chinese-8 into their existing set-up (where as I feel that these stores that have always catered to American billiards, actually could really nail their place down more strongly with further investment into American tables at this time)

Nice to hear input from one who is familiar with the scene there.

I'm wondering if carom games have a foothold in China alt all, do you know?

Almost all the Asian nations have become recent hotbeds for 3 cushion billiards and I never hear of Chinese participation.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Nice to hear input from one who is familiar with the scene there.

I'm wondering if carom games have a foothold in China alt all, do you know?

Almost all the Asian nations have become recent hotbeds for 3 cushion billiards and I never hear of Chinese participation.

they like playing 235 in China (mostly in Taiwan though)... There are some Carom tables in Shanghai, but very few. Naturally, Korea is the real hotbed for this. As a general lover of cue sports, I am keen to give everything a try. I enjoy 235, although it really depends who you are playing. I'd like more experience on genuine Carom tables..

I found a place with a couple of Russian pyramid tables, but that's more of a novelty to find here. Quite a fun/challenging game.
So mostly, it's 70% Chinese-8/ 20% snooker/ 10% American tabled games/ 0.0001% any other game... If I had to sum it up crudely

It seems like it's kind of the battle between MR and WPA unfolding here in a real-life/marketing context... When MR started injecting money into things, American tabled halls were seeming to expand and promoting more tournaments... posting more and more...

It seems like WPA and the connection to Heyball kind of hit back at that (...with America not really producing the talent it could/should have, or harnessing the 'national' pride or passion of the games 'creators'- I think they chose an audience that has a similar 'nationalist' sentiment, pride and a game that is 'theirs' to target)... WPA intentionally targeted the largest, most responsive market when they saw MR pulling the rug from underneath them...

 

[skogstokig]

Nice to hear input from one who is familiar with the scene there.

I'm wondering if carom games have a foothold in China alt all, do you know?

Almost all the Asian nations have become recent hotbeds for 3 cushion billiards and I never hear of Chinese participation.

doesn't it roughly follow the lines of colonial french influence (indochina) vs british influence and/or american military bases?

 

[skogstokig]

Even though i'm not a Ch8b fan i'm still kinda po'd that the WPA is trying to gang-fk this game too. Right now the CBSA is running their big event(Appleton's there btw) and they are being warned/strongarmed by the WPA asswipes with their usual brand of threats.

caught a little bit of this now, former world 9b runner-up li hewen playing some other asian player. it seems to be the competing outfit that doesn't call it heyball. lots of the big names in heyball participating so i assume it's fine until march when the WPA hammer will fall

 

[Black-Balled]

doesn't it roughly follow the lines of colonial french influence (indochina) vs british influence and/or american military bases?

Sounds plausible!

 

[garczar]

Sounds plausible!

Quit feeding the wildlife and he MIGHT go away. You know he lives for your care and attention.

 

[Black-Balled]

Quit feeding the wildlife and he MIGHT go away. You know he lives for your care and attention.

He seems so hungry though!!

 

[justnum]

Who wants to go to Chinatown Brooklyn?

Its better than Chinatown Manhattan.

they will have more free time in Brooklyn.

 

[Flakeandrun]

doesn't it roughly follow the lines of colonial french influence (indochina) vs british influence and/or american military bases?

Not sure, as Carom is big in Korea, 9ball is big in Vietnam...
But I guess you are right to some extent... snooker in Malaysia/China/Thailand, American table in Japan

I guess 'influence' can promote people to play more of games associated with colonizers, and also work in the opposite manner, where they'd rather play anything but the game associated with them.

 

[Flakeandrun]

caught a little bit of this now, former world 9b runner-up li hewen playing some other asian player. it seems to be the competing outfit that doesn't call it heyball. lots of the big names in heyball participating so i assume it's fine until march when the WPA hammer will fall

Really curious to see what happens. I hope any and all cue sports have the space to grow... without squashing or removing the games we know and love.