The Fall 2010 season is off and running, and things seem to have started off pretty well.  We had some problems posting the Week 1 stats to this site, but were able to sort it out in time for the week-end.  Please have a look.  If anyone sees any mistakes, please let me know. 

Everyone seems to have showed up at the correct venue, so hopefully all are now in possession of the correct fixture list.  If there are any questions, the schedules here are correct.

8-BALL:

206 people played in Week 1, which is a league record.  There were some good matches and some surprising results.  

Based on some questions I have been getting, I hope the following clears up any issues you might have.

INTER-DIVISIONAL MATCHES:  Every team in the 8-Ball league this season will be playing an Inter-divisional home and away.  These matches are friendlies, and do not count in the standings.  Have fun with them. The player stats, however, do count

STANDINGS: The 8-Ball standings are based on a point system.  2 points are awarded for every win, 1 is awarded for every draw, and 0 is awarded for a loss.

FINAL STANDINGS:  There are no play-offs.  At the end of the season, teams that are tied for either 1st or 2nd place will play a decider at a neutral venue.  Legs won and lost are not relevant to the final standings.  I will confer with the respective team Captains to determine a mutually acceptable venue.

TROPHIES:  In the past, trophies were awarded for 1st and 2nd place.  This season we will attempt to award more trophies, but the committee will meet during the season to determine what those trophies will be for.

PLAYER STANDINGS:  The player rankings are based on cumulative points earned by play during the season.  One point is awarded to every player simply for playing either once or twice on any given night. Two points are awarded for every win.  If a player plays twice and wins both, he/she is awarded 5 points.  If a player wins once on the night, regardless of whether they play once or twice, he/she is awarded 3 points.  If a player is winless on the night, regardless of whether they played once or twice, he/she is awarded one point.

9-BALL:

INTER-DIVISIONAL MATCHES:  There are none.  When the 9-Ball league reached 40 teams, Inter-Divisional matches were no longer neccessary.  All games count.  If your fixture list still shows Inter-Divisional matches, it needs to be replaced.

STANDINGS: The standings for 9-Ball are based strictly on wins and losses.  As the teams will be playing to a set number, draws are not possible.  If both sides are tied with one game left, the final leg will decide who wins and who loses.  If both team Captains agree to a different format for the decider, they are free to do so. Legs do not count.  All wins are equal, whether the game was close or a blow-out.

ORDER OF PLAY:The home team will determine the names of their players for the first 4 legs.  From then on, the team that is ahead will be the first to write down their players names.  The next time the score is even, it will be the visitors turn to write first, and it will continue to alternate over the course of the night whenever the score is tied.

NUMBER OF LEGS: We have set the default number to 19.  Unless otherwise determined at the start of the match, the first side to reach 19 wins.  Team Captains are free to change that number to anything that is mutually acceptable, so long as it is done prior to play.  Those looking for an early night should stay with 19.  Those that want to keep at it can opt for 21 or more.  Last season we played to 21.  Half of those who played in week 1 chose to stay at 21.  Winning a race to 19 or 21 will be treated the same in the standings.

FINAL STANDINGS:  As with 8-Ball, ties at the end of the season will be dealt with by a 1 game decider to be played at a neutral venue. Head-to-Head scores, and legs, will not be used to determine ties.

PLAYER STANDINGS:  There are none.  While I would really like to have players standings in 9-Ball that are similar to what we do in 8-Ball, it is not possible unless the information is accurately recorded and given to me.  Based on the nightmare of getting all of the 8-Ball scoresheets, I don't think it is possible.  Maybe someday.

As is usually the case, I have had to make some last-minute changes to the schedule.  I will notify all of the teams involved before play begins tonight for 8-Ball and on Wednesday for 9-Ball.  The schedules on this site have already been changed to reflect these changes. Please use this schedule until I can get around to everyone to deliver the revised ones.

8-BALL:  The changes involve only 3 matches for week 1 : HUSTLERS is home against CHO CHO BAR A;  OASIS 1 is home against SPORTS ACADEMY; and PICKLED LIVER is home against NEW WAVE.  All other games remain as they are on the existing schedule, and the new schedules will be distributed well before week 2.  (See Michael's post below for the week 1 schedule)

9-BALL:  We have added 2 more teams to the 9-Ball list, bringing the total up to 40.  71 Pool Bar will play in the Red Division, and Easy Pub will play in the Green Division. The Old Other Office opted out of 9-Ball and will be replaced by Players B in the Orange Division.  There will no longer be any friendlies, and all matches will count toward the standings.  There are 5 changes for week 1. They are: HILLARY BAR will be playing at home against 71 POOL BAR;  PLAYERS B will be playing at home against MASH BAR A;  SPORT 20-2(EAST) will be playing at home against BANGKOK ROCKS;  HIDEAWAY (JACK) will be playing at home against TARGET;  and CRYSTAL LOUNGE will be playing at home against EASY PUB. All other matches remain the same.

Have fun!

The Spring 2010 season of the Bangkok Pool League will soon be underway.  The season will begin on Monday, February 22nd for 8-Ball, and Wednesday, February 24th for 9-Ball.  I am currently in the process of putting together roster of  teams that will compromise the league for this season, and expect that the league will grow larger.  Last season, we had 36 8-Ball teams and 32 9-Ball teams.  I currently have 37 8-Ball teams and 33 9-Ball teams, but am still waiting on a firm committment from 8 venues.  We may have to go to 6 divisions if all opt in. The season will run 14 weeks, with a 1-week break after week 7 for Songkran.  There are no playoffs planned.

SINGLES TOURNAMENT:  This season will begin with the 9-Ball tournament.  Last season ended with the 8-Ball tournament, and it proved to be a great way to end the season.  214 people attended, and the draw had to be closed earlier than usual because it was filled at 128.  All those who played either 8-Ball or 9-Ball last season are invited to attend, as well as anyone that plans to be playing this season.  The tournament is designed to kick off this season on a high note.  

The venue will be The Ball In Hand on Sukhumvit Soi 4, and the date will be Saturday, February 20th.  The doors will open at 11:00 AM for free play and practice, and we are asking those that are interested in playing to be there before 1:00 PM so that we have enough time to create the draw in time for a 2:00 PM start.

There will once again be a free lunch buffet catered by Bully's Pub.  The league will be contributing 72 bottles of liquor/wine to the door prize list, and the contributions from the bars and others should bring that list to well over 100.

CHANGES:  Some may have already noticed that there seem to be some minor bugs on this site.  We have changed servers, and there may be some small hiccups that will get sorted out.  The changes were neccessary.  Not everyone in Bangkok enjoys the luxury of being retired and not having to work for a living.  Will, who built this site and has served as its nursemaid and my right hand since its inception, has a lot on his plate at the moment.  Tending to the site takes up a lot of time, and he was forced to choose between website time and beer time.  In typical Bangkok fashion, the beer won.  Will will continue to help me run both the site and the league, but in an unofficial capacity. The duties of handling the website have been handed over to Michael, who will also help me in the running of the league.  The league has grown to a size that is starting to resemble actual work, and Michael brings some fresh ideas, youthful energy, and a genuine interest in giving something back to the community he enjoys living in.   I welcome his help.