The Fall 2008 season of the Bangkok Pool League officially came to an end on Saturday with the 9-Ball singles tournament. The event was played at the Ball In Hand on Sukhumvit Soi 4. The attendance was a little less than expected, but 127 people did show up to celebrate the end of the season. There were only a few byes in the first round, as the vast majority opted into the draw. The smaller than expected crowd were a fun bunch, though, and the day proceded nicely.
BULLY PUB once again provided a great buffet. Many that were playing matches when the buffet was put out sent delegates to the line to make sure they would have their fill. As always, there were no leftovers.
106 door prizes were given out, so just about everyone walked out with something. We doubled and even tripled on some of them, so there were many happy people. CHEFS XP once again donated discount coupons, which were given out to all who wanted some. The BANGKOK PRIVILEGE CLUB contributed some sizeable discount offers from its member restaurants, and THAILAND FRIENDS gave out free memberships and vouchers for a Spa.
The play all day was spirited, and the final 8 included some long-time players that were having a good day. The final 4 consisted of BIER (New Wave), DING (Oasis 1), PAUL (Players), and RUCH (Pool 13). Ruch beat Bier for one spot in the finals in a rematch of last weeks 3rd place 8-Ball match. Ding beat Paul for the other spot in a match that saw both players on the hill. The final match was worth watching, as Ruch prevailed 7-5 over Ding.
Keith, from Metro bar, was an easy choice to receive a trophy for consuming the most alcohol. He seemed truly moved to finally receive the long over-do recognition.
The Ball In Hand crew were once again up to the task of handling a large crowd. My thanks to them, as well as to Long, Tee and Tao(Hillary Bar), Neil (Happiness Bar), Peder (Moonshine bar), and John (The Pickled Liver) for making the day work so well.
This puts an end to the season, so I would lke to thank everyone for making the league what it is. My thanks once again to the committee for helping me steer things in the right direction. Keith & Henning (Metro Bar), Linkka & John (Corner Bar), Jack (Hideaway/Larry's Dive), Long (Hillary Bar), Neil (Happiness), Nick (Popeyes/Olive Oyl), Paul (Det 5), Peder (Moonshine), and Steven (Cho Cho Bar). Special thanks to Charlie for colating all of the league stats, and to Will for tending to the website.
I would also like to thank all those that have chosen to convey their appreciation for all that the league has done.
There is still no firm date for the start of the next season, but It will be at least a month before we start putting things to gether. Until then, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL.
(and to all a good night)
The season-ending League 8-Ball singles tournament took place yeaterday at The Ball-In-Hand on Soi 4. I think most would agree that it turned out to be another great event, and a fitting end to the 8-Ball for this season. The attendance was 141, about 30 short of the record of 171. As always, people showed up late, and we did not start the draw until 2:00 PM. The day proceeded smoothly. We played all day until a winner finally emerged around midnight.
BULLY'S PUB put on another great buffet, and the lines that formed when they set up made me wonder if people came for the pool or the food. Yet another great spread, and my thanks to them.
104 door prizes were given away, as all of the bars that showed up came bearing donations to the table. CHEFS XP donated thousands of Baht worth of food vouchers, and THAILAND FRIENDS donated 2 free memberships.
The Bangkok Pool League has a history of never having anyone repeat as a winner of either the 8-Ball or 9-Ball singles tournaments. The tradition was once again upheld. The last four standing were BIER(Cho Cho Bar), RUCH(Pool 13), TEE(Hillary Bar) and WAXY(Sports Academy). Waxy beat Bier for one spot in the finals, and Tee beat Ruch for the other spot. Ruch beat Bier for 3rd place. In the finals, Waxy and Tee played a great match, with Waxy prevailing to take 1st Place. Waxy now joins Boy(Corner Bar), Air(Country Road), Ohn(Corner Bar), Paul(Dubliner), Danny(Metro Bar), Steve(Metro Bar), Vee(Hillary Bar), Bee(Rack Em Up), Paul(Players), Tao(HIllary bar), and Tee(Hillary Bar) in the rare air of first place winners over the last 5 years.
In what is also becomming something of a Bangkok Pool League tradition, NICK from Popeyes/Olive Oyl once again walked away with a trophy for alcohol intake on the day. The other winner, (name witheld by request) had to refuse the trophy because he was afraid his wife would beat him to death with it if he came home with it. Nick has no such problem, as Ying would likely have required a detailed explaination why he did not win it.
I would like to thank all of the people that helped me make the event work so well. LONG(Hillary Bar), as always, was indispensible, along with her crew of ALLAN, TAO and TEE. They handled a hastily done draw with ease. I would also like to thank NEIL(Happiness) and PEDER(Moonshine) for doing a great job as master of Ceremonies. Thanks also to John(Pickled Liver) for some last-minute assistance to the event. As always, the Ball-In-Hand staff were up to the task of a large and thirsty crowd.
All that remains is the season-ending League 9-Ball tournament next Saturday, which will also be held at The Ball-In-Hand on soi 4. Please try to get there early, but play will begin at 2:00. All of the remaining door prizes will be given away. 20 Bottles of wine did not arrive in time for the 8-Ball tournament, so the league will have even more to give away. This will be the last Bangkok Pool League event for this year, and we will take a break before starting up again after the holidays. A firm start-up date has not as yet been decided
I hope to see everyone next week. Come for the Competition, come for the food, or just come for the fun.
Hello all!
Final standings for the fall season of 2008 now available!
Thank you all for a great season :)
