answered about 18 months ago by alpha
I've often wondered about this myself. Hanoi seems to have the expat scene to support such a league (or friendly, regular meet up), but what it lacks are a large enough group of tables in bars that could constitute a "league". There are tables around, but many of them are pretty shoddy, and some bars just aren't big enough to have a table (but got one anyway). I guess some of the pool halls are an option, but a pool league should really be a bar sponsored affair. What bars do you see having good enough tables? Want to put together a list? I'll get it started:
1. R&R
2. Finnegan's
3. Ete (though it had some serious felt damage last time I was there)
4. J.J.'s (surprisingly worn down -last time I played- for a five star hotel)
5. Polite Pub (back room's a bit cramped and wasn't air conditioned last summer...is it this year?)
6. G/C
7. Al Fresco's (Xuan Dieu)
8. Bud' Moe
9. American Club Bar
I guess there are more than I initially remembered. Some of those places aren't typically pool destinations, but they could certainly work.
Thoughts?
Only played at GC and Finnegan's, and Finnegan's table is pretty poor. I suppose it would be better to do something in a proper bar, but the table situation would be easier at a pool hall (you wouldn't have other people wanting to use the table) and the table quality would be better too (generally).
I suppose it would depend on a bar being into the idea enough to section off a pool table for the evening. If there were a few takers we could start off in a pool hall until a regular thing developed... Just an idea.
answered about 18 months ago by alpha
Funny. When I was still playing pool around town, Finnegan's seemed one of the better tables. Maybe it's gone downhill since then.
If the league was on an off night (Tues...Wed), then you could probably get some interest from the bars. We'd be happy to promote it here on the site, but we'd need someone to step up and take on the role of league commissioner...just someone to keep things organized. If it was put together like this, I think the bars would respond.
Of course, if you're looking for something less formal, you can always just throw together a billiards night at a decent pool hall. You could avoid the whole teams and league complexities. Might be a good way to start, as you say.
