The words on the pamphlet challenge me, “Could this be your big break?”
This isn’t a game of ordinary pool. They called it the 9-ball speed pool.
The rules of the game sounded simple.
This is a game of speed and accuracy. Nine balls are placed on the pool table like that: six close to the pocket, and the other three evenly spreaded out across the centre.
To start, you can place the white cue ball anywhere you want.
The clock starts as soon as you strike the cue ball. The clock stops when you pocket your last ball.
The person who pockets all 9 ball in the fastest time wins.
This competition is put together by GUINNESS® in search for the best amateur 9-ball speed pool player in Asia.
GUINNESS® Black Challenge team right now are touring the whole of Malaysia, running speed pool challenges across 112 nights in 56 outlets in search for Malaysia’s fastest speed pool player.
The fastest in each outlet advances to the regional playoffs. The winner in the regional playoffs advances to the national finals held in Genting Highlands this 31st May.
The winner of the national finals will then go on to represent Malaysia in the International GUINNESS® Black Challenge to be held in Jakarta this October in conjunction with GUINNESS® 9-Ball Tour Grand Final, Asia’s most prestigious pool championship. All expenses paid, of course!
Anyone can join the challenge. The only condition being that you purchase a pint of GUINNESS® Draught or Foreign Extra Stout bottle at their participating outlets during contest days.
Even if you don’t feel like playing speed pool, you could still dip your hand in the hole to win RM100 cash or other exclusive limited edition GUINNESS® 9-Ball Tour merchandise.
Me being me, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a shot at Greatness.
Besides, how difficult could speed pool be anyway? I mean, 6 of the 9 balls are already close to the pocket so all I gotta worry is the other 3.
It’s been a while since I practised playing pool, but I think I can still aim with my stick.
I chalked my cue stick and took it to the table. Time to put my pool skills to a test.
By “pool skills”, I meant “poor skills”.
Speed pool isn’t as easy as it looks. Time is critical so I can’t spent too much time pondering my next move.
The worst thing is, I panicked.
And because I panicked, I had trouble holding my stick still.
My balls kept bouncing all over the place.
In the end, I only managed to pocket all my balls in 2 minutes 33 seconds.
Surprisingly, the official told me that I had made a new GUINNESS® record!
Record for LONGEST time taken to complete a game of speed pool.
Another participant that night fared slightly better than me. He completed the game in 1 minute 2 seconds.
The guy ended up becoming the fastest player of that night. As a reward for his efforts, he won 10 pints of GUINNESS® Draughts, limited edition GUINNESS® 9-Ball Tour merchandise and on top of that, he will be advancing to the regional finals.
This guy has gotta buck up if he wanna go any further though. The fastest time achieved thus far in the Malaysian leg of the tour is just under 40 seconds.
Whoever that guy is, he must be really good with his stick and balls.
The preliminary rounds of the GUINNESS® Black Challenge is gonna continue on from now until the end of May at the official outlets above.
It will be tough to beat the current top marks of 40 seconds in a game of 9-ball speed pool. Whatever it is, take comfort in knowing that no matter what you do, you’re gonna easily beat my pathetic time of 2 minutes 33 seconds.
Just remember to hold your stick steady.
Book Recommendation: The Twisted Stethescope by Penang Medical College student Jason Leong is a autobiography about his experience studying abroad in Ireland.
Malaysian kids like myself, who spent our coming of age in angmoh countries would definitely identify with what Jason Leong went through. It’s funny because it’s real. And Jason’s book is quite a light-hearted read if you enjoy the type of humour that I do.
stick?
hearst roast
LOL! should have this kinda competition in Kuching!
interesting …
Why censor the pretty girl’s identity?
LOL!!
hahahaha…..i’ll remember to hold my stick steady when playing it…..!
Hahaha
lols~ funny la
8th ah? then I 9th lo! Poking balls only maa… what’s so hard about it?!!!!! I poke balls everyday… but only a different kind
“My balls kept bouncing all over the place.”
Now you understand you shouldn’t go commando when playing pool? put on underwear next time ok =D
For a moment, I thought that this is an advert entry… Or is it?
nice record kenny!
next time we play strip pool we know who to invite.. *grins*
Kenny, why did u censor one girl’s face and leave the other one uneditted?
is it like, a request, a mistake or sumth?
=D
14
muahahah~ tonight heading to perfect snooker…… btw y is that girls face censored? explanation requested~ 🙂
Interesting…
Nice games!
With chicks like that… erm.. dun think can keep my stick steady… maybe my balls yes.. If u know what i mean..
I am thinking dirty of the “Just remember to hold your stick steady.” . 😛
I suggest that you start playing with your stick and balls more often from today and after that, go and participate again. I am sure you will do better the next time. Practice makes perfect!!
Still decent showing for a normal game Kenny, next time you should shoot before drinking all that Guinness LOL
stick n ballllz.
Just remember to hold your stick steady
u mean, hold your sticks steady? 😀
I wonder which stick, Kenny!!!
Muahahahaha….
I bet I can easily beat your “longest time” record, cuz I suck in pool, haha!
I bet I can easily beat your “longest time” record, cuz I suck in pool, haha!
Damn it, I am not a chicken with no name alright ;p I just forgot to put my name!
I wonder can an amateur aim the first center ball to pocket both the first and the one close to the pocket. Maybe can save some seconds for an amateur.
But for me, not a problem to complete it beyond 2:33.
kenny your stick cannot tahan!!
Sabah’s highest record for GUINNESS speed pool competition was 12 seconds.
Suprisingly, I’ve won a rm100 and one GUINNESS limited addition’s lighter during the lucky draw session.
This competition is awesome! ^o^
such a suggestive post. lol
Lol, new record?
That was nice, in the other word, the girls are nice though.
I would have joined in just to get close to those girls. They are yummy. Kenny, how come you did not take a photo with them. Did you get close to them?
If I was there, I think I would be aiming my balls to a different hole….
I find pool really fun, but i cannot aim for nuts!
Slow and steady wins the race. Now we know y…
Lost focus eh!… hehehe :-p
lolx, “my ball”… but i heard my “pro” bro said that, 1 shot should pocket few balls. too bad my ownself donno how to play also. haahha.
where can i get a copy of jason’s book?
Shameless plug for Guinness.
i think i will need 5 minutes to finish it
hold ur stick tight, aim, then pull, and push!
so pull push pull push ur stick x 9 times the most in order to break 40seconds record. dats the secret. remember, pull push x 9 times.
the last picture is damn cool!
How to hold the sticks steady while the Guinness girls standing beside you?
I can understand why it takes 2:33 min kenny..it’s good enough i think..hehe
Stick?Ball?*LOL*
i love the last sentence, as i always do,lol
hahaha!! great!! LONGEST time…..
Guinness taste good~ Esp those in Ireland! You can feel the difference =)LOL
ahh damn… non of the outlets near my area…TT
Hot girl man! not the ball games! what is their name?
hey! 1 of the guinness girl is rose chin!.. =P
Kenny , who is the girl in black . i mean the two girls who are wearing black ? Did you get their numbers ? Please tell me that you did !
PS: thanks for tea the other day man .
-David
This makes me wanna play pool too. Should try this. Great Game.
This makes me wanna play pool too. Should try this. Great Game.
You were looking at her boobs while putting your hand in the box!
siao liao u